Wilkinson Cup

A stylish 83 by opener Duncan Forrest enabled the North East Durham Coast League snatch a dramatic victory, with only one ball to spare, in their 40-overs match at Wearmouth against the Cleveland League.

Cleveland's Jon Leadbitter (36 off 45 balls) gave his team a bright start, but the slow bowling of Kichen (10-1-25-2) and Roberts dragged the game back at the half-way stage, to 74-5. A watchful, then forcing partnerships between Chris Barritt (47 off 52) and Mark Allen (31 at a run a ball) with good calling and running between wickets - put Cleveland into respectability, with Myers striking a few late blows.

Durham's task was given a firm foundation, with Forrest dominating an

opening stand of 78. Forrest was strong on the leg side with ten boundaries in a well-judged 83. Dench struck a powerful 43 and at 145 for 1, Durham were coasting.

Again, slow bowling applied the brake with Myers taking 2-34 while Walker, belatedly called into the attack, bowled magificently through to the end. A missed leg-side stumping and a dropped catch in the deep during the final over were the only Cleveland blemishes in a fighting display, conceding defeat with one ball remaining.

Cleveland League: Lyth b Tither 10, Leadbitter b Kitchen 36, Dixon c Richardson b Roberts 11, Bowes b Roberts 9, Barritt b Tither 47, Ramzan b Kitchen 4, Allen b Richardson 31, Myers b Tither 14, Walker not out 1, Dale not out 1. Extras 11. Total (8 wkts) 179. Bowling:L Richardson 1-40, Tither 3-36, Roberts 2-52, Kitchen 2-25, Forest -15.

NEDL: Forrest lbw b Walker 83, Cunningham lbw Myers 16, Dench b Myers 43, Roberts b Walker 5, Tither c Ramzan b Walker 6, Yare run out 2, Allesbury not out 4, Richardson run out 4, Kitchen not out 14, Extras 14. Total (7 wkts) 180. Bowling: Ramzan 0-20, Dale 0-36, Barritt 0-31, Myers 2-34, Bowes 0-19, Walker 3-28.

Robinson Cup

Darlington reached the semi-finals with a 17 runs victory in an excellent game against Guisborough at Feethams.

Batting first, the home side reached 131 for five with Whitewood making 48 and Morgan an unbeaten 31. Replying Guisborough finished on 114 as Whitewood completed a good game by capturing three for 25 and Coates took three for 17.

Hartlepool had four runs to spare following an exciting match with Redcar at Park Drive. Hartlepool finished with 125 for nine which included 41 by Danny Shermer. Redcar were always in with a chance especially when Andy Hassack (33) was at the wicket but when Jerry Boyd took three for 21, the visitors could only manage 121 for nine. Marske also went through to the semi-finals with a win over Great Ayton and in a third round tie Thornaby romped to a ten wickets success over Richmondshire when Buist finished with 46 not out.

Third round: Blackhall v Thornaby; semi-finals: Blackhall or Thornaby v Marske; Hartlepool v Darlington.

Foster's Tyneside Senior League Juniors

Greenside and Burnopfield both passed 100, producing an entertaining game. Batting first, Greenside finished on 101 for eight which included 40 by Tom Morley who recorded seven boundaries. Mattie Turnbull added 23 and for Burnopfield, Stuart Atkinson had the excellent figures of three for ten in five overs while Richard Deakin conceded 23 runs in five overs for his two wickets.

In response, Burnopfield won losing three wickets when James Temperley carried his bat for 42 and McVittie added 35.

Despite a half century by David Ringer and 29 from Chris McGhinn, Shotley Bridge still lost by seven wickets when they met Lintz at The Spa. Batting first Bridge were all out for 104 and a number of useful contributions enabled Lintz to win comfortably.

Graeme Carr's 43 was crucial in Annfield Plain's five wickets victory at Consett. When the Steelmen made first use of the Blackfyne wicket, they were pegged to 82 for five.

Swalwell edged Lanchester with two runs to spare. Chris Dixon (26 not out) and Mark Gray (17) scored most of the runs when Swalwell posted 92 for six. Ramshaw took two for 16 for Lanchester who were pegged to 90 for six. Ramshaw completed a good night by scoring 45, exactly half his side's runs while Andrew Bryant had three for 11 from five overs for Swalwell.