Durham Senior League U15

Rain played havoc with the programme and only two games started. South Shields managed to complete their match with Chester-le-Street and won by ten wickets after restricting their opponents to 81 for seven.

Redfearn batted well for the Cestrians, finishing unbeaten on 36 out of his side's total of 81 for seven while for Shields Kevin Dixon claimed four wickets for only eight runs in five overs.

The target soon evaporated and Paul Craig and Mark Appleton took control of the Chester-le-Street attack. Craig finished on unbeaten on 50 and Appleton was still there when the winning run was secured with 26 not out.

Burnmoor managed to start their game with Sunderland but eventually it had to be abandoned with the home team in a strong position on 96 for one. Ben Embleton was unbeaten on 52.

No play was possible in any of the three other games.

Ramsden Shield

A fine innings of 77 by Richard Manuel which included three sixes into the Bradbury Home Complex set up a thrilling finish to the Crook Town CC v Guisborough CC captain Ramsden Shield tie on Wednesday, 12 July 2000 at the Dawson Street Ground, Crook.

Crook's innings closed on 119 on six wickets, and Guisborough were given an early set back when professional Graham Shaw was run out for four runs.

Crook appeared to be in control of the game, but some big hitting by Guisborough's Dove, particularly one six which appeared to clear the second row of houses, put them back in the game.

The scores were exactly level at 119 for six wickets when Crook's Andrew Coe delivered the final ball. Guisborough's Pennock missed it, and ran for the single, only to find a neat take and throw by wicket keeper Williams had sent the ball back to the bowler's end. Pennick was run out and Crook progressed, as they had lost fewer wickets than their opponents.

Durham Senior League U-17

cHESTER-LE-sTREETenjoyed a nine wickets victory against South Shields when the side's met at Ropery Lane.

Faced with a target of 98 they were indebted to Stephen Merrington for his undefeated 69. Batting first, Shields ended on 97 for eight with most of the runs coming from David Maughan with 42 and Sarkar (25) while for the Cestrians Merrington captured four for 24 runs and Philip McGowan had two for 29.

After totalling 89 all out, Hetton Lyons retricted Seaham Harbour to 72 for seven when Jarvis captured three for 15 and Adey took two for 11. Adam Young top scored for Seaham with 28.

The highlight of the Hetton Lyons innings was a contribution of 30 by Stuart Walker while for Seaham Nick Osmond returned three for 12, Andy Wright two for ten and Adam Young two for 27.

Sunderland overtook Eppleton's 86 for six for the loss of just four wickets with two of them falling to David Henderson for 23 runs. When they batted first Eppleton's top scorer was Anthony Beston with 21 and for Sunderland Gregson had two for 37 and Harrison two for 22.

Burnmoor were dismissed for 99 which included 32 by Craig Maxwell when they hosted Whitburn for whom Siddell claimed six for 26 and Coates three for 14.

Batting first, Whitburn ended with 118 for three which included an unbeaten 52 by Brown and 27 from Marley.

Boddingtons Durham Coast League U-18

Castle Eden had just seven runs to spare in defeating Murton after posting 103 for five which included 30 not out by Matthew Tudball, 26 from James Duddin and 23 by Craig Walker.

Jordan Vout returned two for 12 and Jonathan Seed two for 14 for Murton who in reply were dismissed for 96. Seed top scored with 25 and Aidan Vout added 20 while for Castle Eden the match-winner with the ball was Danny Bell whose four overs produced the excellent figures of five for 15. Richard Ede gave good support with two for 17.

Peterlee defeated Bill Quay by 12 runs following a high scoring game. John Orton made 25, Maddison 24 and Wilson 2 when Peterlee batted first and posted 112 for four. Paul Bentham claimed two of the four wickets to fall for 15 runs and when Bill Quay went in to bat they ended with 100 for seven which included a top scoring 20 by James Phillips. Wilson returned two for 16 and Maddison two for 19 for Peterlee.

Dawdon made the highest score of the night, 160 for three against Hylton who replied with 60 for six. Craig Price finished with 62 not out, Gary Thompson added 44 and Anthony Gale carried his bat for 25 before Andrew Beer took four wickets for just ten runs to help earn Dawdon a 100 runs victory.

3-D Durham County

League Juniors

Coundon scored just 53 for eight but they still defeated Coxhoe who were restricted to 41 all out by the bowling of Pettie with five for 19 and Stones (4-6).

Stones also starred with the bat for Coundon scoring no fewer than 36 of his team's runs while for Coxhoe Mark Stehenson returned four for 18 and Robert Maddison two for 23.

Despite being faced with the formidable target of 111, Evenwood comfortably defeated Willington by eight wickets when Howe scored a half century, Watson made 25 and Gill 23. The majority of Willington's 110 for two came from Moor with 54 and Keegan 34.

Paul Freary was again in outstanding form for Darlington RA. He carried his bat for 65 while for Mainsforth Michael Northcote captured three for 30. Mainsforth could only make 59 for three in reply and lost by 46 runs. Gavin Peart top scored with 34 not out for Mainsforth.

Ushaw Moor reached just 66 all out with Gary Whitfield scoring 28 at home to Langley Park for whom White claimed five for seven, Wilkinson two for ten and Jones three for 23. Langley Park won comfortably without losing a wicket when John lee finished unbeaten on 35 and Garfield managed 29.

Johnnie Johnson with 52 and Anthony Tait (35) led Bishop Auckland to a match-winning 120 for two at home to Newton Aycliffe who were dismissed for 37. Michael Hill returned three for nine, Phil Smart three for two while Chris Sawyer conceded just one run in taking three wickets.

Davison, with four for 19, pegged Tudhoe to 65 for seven and Esh Winning went on to win losing six wickets, three of them to Harry Collingwood for 17 runs.

Shaun Brown top scored with 33 in Shildon's 106 after Crook Town's Buston had three for 20, Prest two for 20 and Fawcett two for 24. Crook Town fell well short of their target, ending with 80 for nine which included 24 by Prest. Pratt claimed three for 18 and Reynolds took two for 16 in the Shildon Railway attack.

George Mann Cup

Ithe first semi-final of the competition sponsored by Weardale Steel, Bishop Auckland King James batted first against Crook Golden Fleece. The Bishops got away to a very slow start against some tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding as they only made five from the first four overs and lost Robbie Harris caught and bowled by David Haygarth.

The first ball of the fifth over saw the end of Gary West to Michael Sanderson, who followed up by removing Andy Crow to put King James at 16 for 3. Andy Hill 13, Ritchie Pringle 20 not out and Alan Rowley 11 steadied the Bishops batting but the overs ran out when they stood at 83 for 8.

Alan Rowley hit an interesting six as Kevin Sanderson made a brilliant catch on the boundary but his momentum caused him to step out of play. However he had his revenge two overs later when he made a similar catch on the boundary but stayed in play.

Crook Golden Fleece's reply was slow and nervous against tight bowling and keen fielding. They reached 30 for 4 and seemed in trouble when Andrew Wilson and Tommy Griffiths were both run out with the scoring rate dropping before Michael Sanderson arrived at the crease and hoisted two massive sixes to change the game, ending 20 not out. A late couple of boundaries from Chris Russ took the Golden Fleece to their first George Mann final with three overs to spare.

In the final Crook Golden Fleece will meet either Weardale Steel or Shildon Timothy Hackworth, whose semi-final was postponed due to rain.

Cameron Shield

Stephen Smith scored an excellent 63 when Lintz totalled 159 for three at home to Tantobie. Richard Moody scored 29 and David Dolan contributed 23 to the Lintz total of 159 for three. Forster then became man of the match when he claimed six wickets for a miserly 13 runs and Stephen Smith took two for eight when Tantobie were back in the pavilion with only 41 runs on the board.

Sacriston reached a match-winning 87 for two in 16 overs at home to Greenside. Gary Kirk ended with 35 not out, Andrew Dixon scored 24 and Britten two for 29 after Greenside had reached 36 for six which included 26 by Britten. Nelson and Dixon both claimed two wickets in the Sacriston attack.

Greg Halliday and Ben Travis were both in good form for Lanchester at home to Blaydon. Halliday top scored with 38 and Travis added 28 to the Lanchester total of 119 for four. Responding, Blaydon could only manage 66 for nine which included 25 by Andrew Gray. Barrass had a good game with the ball for Lanchester, claiming four for 11 runs.

Richardson (37) and Griffiths (29no) led Crookhall to 132 for six at Whickham who replied with 97 for nine of which Morton made 33. Stewart captured three for 18, Johnson two for 16 and Berry two for nine for Crookhall.

Richardson hit a magnificent 143 in Chopwell's 197 for two at Burnopfield who were 116 for eight at stumps