TABLE-TOPPING Tynedale were given the fright of their lives before eventually overcoming the challenge of lowly Ryton in a tremendous encounter to cling on to pole position in the Go North- East NTSL.

An opening partnership of 105 between Roald Badenhorst (12 fours in 60) and Neil Robinson set Ryton up for the day, and with Robinson going on to carry his bat for an unbeaten 86 the visitors managed to post a challenging target of 228 despite a five wicket haul by home skipper Tom Cant.

The leaders then began to stumble in the run chase, and when their eighth wicket went down on 168 it looked like their much cherished unbeaten record was going to go. But a ninth wicket stand of 59 between David Newton (94) and Akash Fotedar (19no) took them into a dramatic last over in which Newton lost his wicket with two still needed, and then victory achieved from the very last ball with a scrambled single.

On such things championships can turn, but at least Annfield Plain managed to keep on Tynedale’s case at the top of the table as they notched up a 60-run victory over Lanchester.

Their star turn was Chaitanya Bishnoi who cracked 16 fours and one six in making 120 in 172 balls. He shared in an opening partnership of 188 with Micky Allen (78 from 87 balls) which set Plain on their way to an imposing 50-over total of 263-5, and then Shane Oliver ensured the visitors would go home disappointed as he grabbed 5-27 to leave them 60 runs short on 203-9.

Shotley Bridge returned to form, defeating Burnopfield by six wickets. Phil Mellons led an effective Bridge strike force to pick up 4-23 as the visitors were bowled out for 165 in 42.5 overs, and then Kieron Milburn cracked nine boundaries in an unbeaten 64 alongside Dan Rees, who made 53 not out from just 46 balls, to lift the Bridge to victory in 34 overs.

Swalwell sent out a signal to those above them that they won’t relinquish their title easily, although a ten wicket demolition of winless Leadgate was not entirely unexpected. Guy Saxton included a hat-trick in his 12 over analysis of 4-38, and then Chris Hewison (90no) and Lloyd Anderson (80no) blasted their team to victory inside 34 overs.

Elsewhere Consett defeated Ashington by three wickets with an excellent all-round team display, while Ponteland eventually overcame Alnmouth by 29 in a run laden game in which there were five half centurions.