Sacriston just failed to meet the target set by Swalwell who edged a narrow victory and moved into second position behind new leaders Newcastle City.

The Dumigham brothers, Paul and Jason, together with Ian Pattison scored most of the runs when Swalwell posted 169 for six but the man-of-the-match was Australian Steve Magoffin.

He claimed six wickets for 32 and following an exciting finish Sacriston only managed 166 all out despite Andrew Dixon (40) making the game's top score.

Newcastle City also took maximum points from their fixture with Ponteland and are now the only unbeaten side.

Sohail returned 4-22 reducing Ponteland to a modest 131-9 before Uniyal, with an unbeaten 77, steered City to victory.

Ashington were shot out for 59, the lowest score of the day, and Shotley Bridge coasted home by 85 runs.

Thorpe and David Jackson did the damage sharing seven wickets and an unbeaten half-century by David Burdon took the Bridge to 144 as David Rutherford took 5-29.

Leadgate were sent back with only 72 runs on the board at Lintz for whom Gary Johnson had five for 28 in 11 overs and Graham Clennell 4-23. Richard Brewis struck two sixes and five fours in an undefeated 40 as Lintz won by eight wickets in 19.1 overs.

The Annfield Plain batsmen also found runs hard to come by at Benwell and Walbottle. David Maughan and Kevin Dixon scored 31 apiece but the total of 108 was vulnerable and 39 not out by opener Graeme Dakers secured Benwell's initial win.

Champions Tynedale made only 117 at home to newly-promoted Greenside who had 14 runs to spare as they celebrated their first success.

Glyn Taylor and Paul Carrick shared eight wickets in the Greenside attack to help their side off the bottom of the table.