Top team toppled

Middleton St George have a nine-points lead over Weardale at the top of Division A, even though they lost by two wickets to Heighington. Batting first, Middleton St George ended with 136 of which Paul Rogers contributed 61 when he was run out while for Heighington John Boocock claimed three for 47.

In reply, Heighington were in trouble but a late unbeaten 44 by Tony Howard secured a two wickets victory despite Dave McKenna picking up three for 45 in the home attack.

Weardale had two wickets to spare in overtaking the Witton-le-Wear total of 101 for nine which included 58 by Stentiford. The home side also struggled for runs when they replied as Heslop took four 40 and Jones three for 57 but eventually an un beaten 21 by Coulthard helped Weardale to a crucial win.

Aldbrough St John had 55 runs in hand at home to Barningham who were all out for 88 when Graham Elgy captured six for 28 in 11 overs and Tony Sillars had three for 27. Colin Blackburn scored more than half the Barningham total when he hit nines boundaries in 46.

Batting first, Aldbrough ended on 143 all out from 37 overs when Nigel Gamblin scored 45 and Dillon Wood 30 not out which included five fours. Scott Walker had a good day for Barningham and in 15 overs returned five for 65 while Richard Mossford claimed three for 34 from 17 overs.

Pool made a half century in Raby Castle's total of 134 and for Rockliffe Park, Swanwick picked up six for 29. An unbeaten 63 by Pybus then enabled Rockliffe to win by six wickets.

French (34), Bainbridge (54) and Clarkson (34) were all among the runs when Colburn ended with 184 for six at Gilling West who were dismissed for 102 mainly by the bowling of French and Ward, who both took four wickets.

Barton made the highest score of the day, 262 for eight at home to Eryholme. Heddon scored 106 and Kearney 67 and for Eryholme, Walker took six for 89. Although Colin Biglin scored 76, Eryholme finished on 154 for seven and lost by 108 run s.

Cockerton lead Division B by three runs from Spennymoor. Cockerton rattled up 233 for seven from 40 overs at home to Trimdon CCA with David Black hitting three sixes and ten fours in 72 while Malcolm Lee carried his bat for 98 which included three sixes and 11 boundaries. Trimdon CCA were all out in 18.4 overs for 53 as Paul Carroll took seven for 21 and Phil Salmon three for 21.

Paul Fawcett was in magnificent form for Heighington in the match with Lands. He bowled 18 consecutive overs and returned the outstanding figures of nine for 45 when Lands were dismissed for 110 replying to the Heighington total of 120.

Brompton-on-Swale had one run to spare at the end of an exciting match with Cliffe. Franklands scored 49 in the Brompton total of 134 for seven and replying Cliffe were 133 for nine as Leyburn claimed five for 29. McCallum, with 38 not out, almost won the game for Cliffe.

In a high-scoring game, Spennymoor scorched to 309 for five and Dales replied with 225 for three. Troop (65) and Ball (42) top scored for Spennymoor but it was Nicholson who set the innings alight when he carried his bat for 122.

Undeterred by the huge target, Dales went in search of victory and half centuries from Alderson, Simpson and Richardson enabled them to finish with a respectable total although Spennymoor still won by 84 runs.

Haughton were another side to pass 200 and they too had a century maker in Wilkinson who ended on 121 not out against King James who were 112 as Gill captured four for 19.

In Division C, Catterick Village defeated Middleton St George by nine wickets when Carter finished unbeaten on 40 and Ostleton was 35 not out. Galey with four for 22 and Wooldridge (4-5) bowled out Middleton St George for 81.

A half century by Woodcock and 34 not out by Martin featured in the East Cowton total of 151 for five and in response Middleton Tyas were all out for 89 as Cowan and Whitehead both took four wickets.

The game between Rockliffe Park and Cockerton finished as a tie. Atkinson and Scratchard both claimed four wickets for Cockerton when Rockliffe totalled 143 and when Cockerton replied they were all out for the same figure as Swanwick and Robinson claimed three wickets each.

In Division D, Trimdon CCA totalled 151 with Dave Atkinson making 79 but they still lost by seven wickets to Spennymoor whose match winner was Ian Collingwood with 70 not out. He received admirable support from Henry Collingwood jnr with 54.

In the remaining matches, Spennithorne and Harmby defeated Cliffe by nine wickets and Haughton had four wickets to spare over Witton-le-Wear who were all out for 80 when Bean picked up three for 21.

l Haughton's rain-hit Horace Marshall Challenge Cup at the end of last month will now be on Sunday, September 3 starting at 11.30am. Haughton Young Boys v Barton and Haughton v Heighington.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

East Rainton are just about assured of the First Division championship following their eight wickets victory against Plawsworth while nearest rivals Belford House went down to North Bitchburn.

Plawsworth made 165 for six from their 45 overs with most of the runs coming from Michael Browbank with 40 and Kevin Kerr (47). But the target soon evaporated when the East Rainton batsmen went to work.

Opener Gordon Steel carried his bat for 60, Neil Matthews contributed 41 and Colin Henderson 36 to an eight wickets success.

East Rainton now need four points from their last four matches to be certain of clinching the title.

Belford House suffered an unexpected setback against third from bottom North Bitchburn who won a low scoring game by three wickets.

Batting first, Belford House were all out for 85 as Gordon Lee took seven wickets for 29 runs and Ian Bunkell had three wickets for 27 runs.

Responding, North Bitchburn lost seven wickets before securing the necessary runs and they were grateful to opener Gordon Dunn who made a top scoring 37. Gary Pickering picked up four of the seven wickets to fall for 14 runs.

Washington realised 235 for eight before bowling out Belmont for 109. McElvanney top scored with 74, Mitchell added 63 and Lyall 33 while for Belmont, Steel performed the best in the attack with three for 73.

Responding, Belmont were all out for 109 as Hebron claimed four for 29.

Hospitals managed 105 all out and the only notable score was 32 not out by Jones who batted at number eight while for Simonside, Hale claimed four for 18. The target proved comfortable for Simonside who won losing two wickets when David Costello carried his bat for 52.

In Division Two a magnificent performance by Lee Kirtley sent Beamish crashing to 80 all out at Burnhope. Kirtley returned eight for 35 from 14 overs and the best Beamish could produce was an innings of 24 by Mark Mosley who struck four boundaries. In reply Burnhope hurried to a ten wickets victory in 15 overs as Wayne Thompson carried his bat for 38 striking five fours and Steve Coverley had one six and two boundaries in 36 not out.

Medomsley defeated East Rainton by 48 runs after posting 148 all out which included 69 by Cunningham. Defty was another bowler in outstanding form and for East Rainton he collected eight wickets for 49 runs. In response, East Rainton could manage only 100 of which Harrison contributed 42 and Cunningham completed a good game by capturing five wickets for only 15 runs.

Laverick, with three for 21, played the leading role when Washington were all out for 86 of which Bowes made 41. Kibblesworth, conceding six wickets before reaching their modest target, were grateful to Middlemiss for his opening innings of 35.

Simonside overtook Tantobie's score of 125 which included a top scoring 33 by John Cook with six wickets in hand. Norman Wold opened the innings scoring 30 and Jamieson added 48 while when Tantobie batted first Hunter had five for 23 and Barnes took three for 27 for Simonside.

Durham Senior

League Juniors

Ian Blevins and John Atkinson were in outstanding form when Horden met

Philadelphia in a rearranged fixture. The pair blitzed the visiting attack and and after 20 overs, Horden had made 136 without loss.

Blevins struck one six and six boundaries in 69 not out while Atkinson had four fours in his unbeaten 55. Despite John Grant, who frequently appears in

the Philadelphia first team, finishing undefeated with a half century, his side could only make 97-4 from the allotted overs.

Felling and Durham City also played a rescheduled match and it was City who came out on top when Richard Hilton turned in a remarkable bowling performance. The youngster, who started out with Sacriston, took six wickets

for just three runs in four overs, two of which were maidens.

Chris Connen recorded six boundaries in 34, making more than half the Felling total of 55-9 before Durham City went on to win with six wickets intact.

Brian Potts, another young player who is making a name for himself at senior level, found the boundary on six occasions in carrying his bat for 38 and although

Peter Vinton captured two wickets for 20 runs in four overs, Felling finished well beaten.