Openers in command

District League

East Harlsey enjoyed a ten-wicket victory over Great Smeaton. Batting first, Great Smeaton scored 122-7 (M Blench 65, D Willey 3-42) but Stuart Hodgson, not out 87 and Peter Mason, 33 not out, featured in an unbroken 123 partnership for East Harlsey.

Kirby Sigston ended on 164 for seven with Clarkson making 71 not out and Thompson 36 while for Thimbleby, Simpson returned four for 57 and Hunter had three for 54.

Thimbleby met the target with half their wickets in tact thanks to skipper Martin Dennis who finished 91 not out - top score of the day - and Garbutt who made 37.

Broughton and Kirby stay top following their 28 runs victory at Scruton, who are now third from bottom.

Robinson top scored with 32 when the home team totalled 144 for eight as Brass returned four for 75 and Barritt four for 60.

Plews gave Scruton a good start when he scored 38 but following his dismissal a total of only 116 was achieved as Andre White captured six for 32.

At one stage Scruton were 94 for three but lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs.

Maltby defeated Chopgate by 46 runs when Ray Rix captured four for 32. Stockton top scored with 37 in Chopgate's 160 all out after Barber (73) and Hutchinson (57) had led Maltby to 1n impressive 2306 for five. Three of the wickets were takeby Stockton for 49 runs.

Kildale had 41 runs to spare on their visit to Ingleby Greenwhow who were dismissed for 131 by the bowling of Pearson (6-37) and Blackett (3-34). Flintoff top scored with 42 for Ingleby Greenhow and when Kildale batted first and realised 172 for eight most of their runs came from Blackett with 57 and Proud with 43.

Metcalfe (34) was the main contributor to Stafford Place's 155 for nine with Bailey and Reid both collecting three wickets in the Hutton Rudby attack.

The visitors put up a stern fight but were all out for 145, leaving Stafford Place winners by ten runs.

Bailey almost clinched victory for Hutton Rudby when he scored 43 but the bowling of Connor, five for 60 and Hollis, (3-6) proved decisive.

Crathorne overtook the Swainby total of 131 for nine with their last pair at the wicket. Pattison (35) and Calvert (32) were the principal scorers while for Swainby Lockwood (5-43) and Kerr (3-35).

When Swainby made first use of the wicket Clemmit added 45 to a total of 131 for nine with D Murdoch capturing five for 30 and H Leng three for 43 in the Crathorne attack.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

Shahazad Alby crashed seven sixes and 17 boundaries in a whirlwind innings of 163 not out when Coxhoe posted 263 from only 45 overs in their Division One match at home to Benwell Hill.

Despite 62 by Phil Haves, Benwell Hill were all out for 162 when Newman claimed four wickets for seven runs.

Littletown realised 177 for eight but still lost by four wickets to Washington for whom John Tindle top scored with 70 in a total of 181 for six. Batting first, Littletown realised the useful total mainly due to efforts of Nelson, who carried his bat for 84 while for Littletown the former Philadelphia pair of John Tither and Alan Kitchen shared seven wickets.

Belford House were dismissed for 83 at home to Hunwick for whom Brian Morris claimed five for 30 in 20.3 overs and Terry Little took five for 50 from his 20 over spell.

When Hunwick batted first they posted 118 for six with four of the wickets falling to Steve Oakes for 45 runs in 17 overs.

East Rainton crushed Belmont by 162 runs after Neil Matthews scored a century in a total of 223 for seven. Pat Welsh claimed five of the eight wickets for 81 runs and replying Belmont were all out for 61 as Ian Kitching returned six for 15 and Colin Milnthorpe had three for 17.

Plawsworth defeated Hospitals by 40 runs. Their total of 153 for eight came mainly from runs down the order and the top score was only 29 by Mike Browbank while for Hospitals' Jim Surtees claimed four for 72 and Gary Shaw three for 45.

Although Fred Sherriff scored 30, Hospitals managed 113 for nine in reply as Kevin Jones picked up five wickets for just 35 runs.

Chris Yare (32) and Hatch (35) led Simonside to 157 for eight at home to North Bitchburn for whom Lee took six wickets for 72 runs. Gordon Dunn then earned North Bitchburn victory when he opened the innings and scored 70, partnering Dent (30) in a productive second wicket stand.

In Division Two, Kibblesworth recorded only their second victory of the season, defeating Tantobie by two wickets in a low scoring game. Bell hit one six and five boundaries in 40 when Tantobie were all in 37 overs for just 88 and Mark Edgell captured seven wickets for just 50 runs in 8.5 overs.

Responding, Kibblesworth were at one stage 23 for six but a partnership of 62 between Richard Woodhouse (24) and Mark Edgell (20no) earned a narrow victory despite the efforts of Elliott who had the magnificent figures of eight for 43 from 14.5 overs.

Burnhope lost by 15 runs at home to Washington who batting first ended on 177 for seven which included by Wood and 36 from Bewick. Burnhope made a bowl attempt to reach the target but were eventually all out for 162 after openers Thompson (40) and Hockaday (59) had provided most of the runs. Wilkie with five for 63 and Fallon (3-48) were the bowlers who earned Washington their narrow success.

Hutchinson crashed a magnificent unbeaten 184 in just 45 overs as Coundon realised 293 for five at home to East Rainton who were all out for 91 when Ruddick claimed five for 25.

Walls was another century maker and he too batted the full innings scoring 120 not out in Medolmsley's 231 for five against Simonside who were dismissed for 94 with Cunningham returned four for 37 and Dixon three for 28.

NatWest Tyne League

Haydon Bridge are top following an 89 runs victory at Matfen who were all out for 50 when Kevin Marshall claimed a hat-trick in his magnificent figures of seven for 11 in ten overs, six of them maidens.

When they batted first Haydon Bridge totalled 139 for nine as Roger Lower returned five for 41 from 17 overs.

Haltwhistle finished 39 runs in front of Stocksfield and are second in the table four points behind Haydon Bridge.

When they first use of the wicket, Haltwistle posted 132 in 40 overs with Michael Parker recording six boundaries in 57 while for Stocksfield Eddie Brown captured six wickets for just 19 runs in 12 overs.

Stocksfield replied and could make just 93 from 25 overs as Chris Clark took six for 31.

Almost half of Stocksfield's runs came from Richie Stokoe whose 42 included two sixes and five boundaries.

Allendale hosted Wylam and won by 31 runs, dismissing their opponents for just 108 when Thirwell claimed seven for 39.

Batting first, Allendale ended on 139 for eight which included 35 not out by both Lee and Rutherford.

Mavin bowled a good end for Wylam and claimed five of the eight wickets to go down for just 32 runs.

Humshaugh had 35 runs in hand of North Tyne when Richard Purviss collected six wickets for a meagre 28 runs.

Despite 58 by opening bat Thompson, North Tyne could only total 124 when they replied to Humshough's 159 for seven which included 46 by Murray and 64 from Paminter.

Foster's North-East Premier League

Norton III were shot out for 32 against neighbours Stockton in the Second Division. Peter Groark captured five for seven and Robson took three for eight before Stockton went on to record as quick-fire victory without losing a wicket.

Runs were a lot more plentiful when Blaydon entertained Chester-le-Street. The visitors finished on146 for nine which included 49 by David Hawe while Blaydon's Michael Urwin took five for 32.

Philip James top scored with 35 as Blaydon edged home by two wickets. Alan Bell picked up three wickets for 17 runs in the Cestrians' attack.

Norton II also lost at Ashbrooke where they finished on 135 all out which included 57 by Neil Fox and 34 from Keith Symmington.

Chris Young took four for 17 and Matthew Brown had four for 11 for Sunderland who batting first, finished with 192 for seven.

Chris Elves score 42 and man of the match Matthew Brown added 43 while for Norton Peter Wood had three for 47.

Philip Hudson returned four for 23 when Benwell Hill ended on 113 before Gateshead Fell went on to record a seven wickets victory when Brian Arkle struck a good 61.

Doug Kurn made 47 of South Northumberland's 132 but the target was within Newcastle's reach and the home team won, losing five wickets.