BARNARD CASTLE stay top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, but lost for the first time this season, as they struggled with the bat at Stokesley. Chris Sawyer was the early culprit, as he took an excellent 5-20 with the ball. However, skipper James Quinn made (42) and Pat Roberts (41), putting on 57 for the fifth wicket, to get them up to a final total of 179 all out, as Andrew Weighell returned 5-44 with the ball.

However, man of the match Andrew Weighell, then smashed 92 from 93 balls, which included 10 fours and four sixes and Jonny Weighell then hit 44, in a (revised) total of 171-3, due to rain and inflict the first defeat of the season for the champions, by seven wickets.

Richmondshire go third in the league, as they travelled to Thornaby and had the home side in all kinds of trouble early on. Josh Dowson (3-30) claimed three early wickets, as they slumped to 45-6. Skipper Jeremy Boyle then made 52 from 101 balls, but they were all out for just 107.

Gary Pratt then made a crucial 35 runs for the Dalesmen, as the home side fought back to leave them on 93-8, but Dowson with a crucial 10 not out at the end, secured the two-wicket win, as they eventually made 108-8.

In a very low scoring game at Feethams, Darlington lost by 16 runs to visiting Hartlepool. Liam Coates returned an excellent 6-39, to bowl out Pools for just 86 runs, however, Doug Mulholland with (3-28) and Matthew Adamson (4-18) had other ideas.

Although Callum Lethbridge (26) and Peter Greenwell (20) steadied the ship, the bowling was just to strong and they ended up on 70 all out.

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

Sacriston won their first game of the season, as they travelled to Benwell Hill and reduced the home side to 35-3, at one stage. However, Joe Anderson with (46) rescued the situation somewhat, to get them to 168 all out, with Callum Appleby claiming 4-40 with the ball.

The visitors then struggled early on, however, Ross Williams with 42 and Solomon Bell with an excellent 85 from 120 balls, which included 11 fours, they finished on 169-7, despite Luke Doneathy claiming 3-46 to win by three wickets.

Hetton Lyons travelled to Burnmoor and decided to bat first on winning the toss. Although Martin Hubber made 26, Karl Turner took (3-32) and Robert Talbot (2-41) to strike early blows, to reduce the home side to 106 all out.

However, the home side struck quickly as Samiullah Khan (5-32) took three early wickets, to bring the Lyons to 17-3. However, Robert Talbot with a crucial 25 not out from 24 balls, saw his team through to victory on 107-7, to record their first win of the season.

Chester-le-Street hosted third-placed Eppleton and lost early wickets. Although Andrew Smith hit a breezy 45 from 54 balls, which included 10 fours, they were struggling at 79-7. Sam Dinning with (4-25) did the damage. Quentin Hughes made the score a little more respectable, as he grinded out (46) from 138 balls, putting on 47 for the eight wicket with John Harrison (23), in a total of 172.

The Cestrians then took early wickets, with Brodie Glendinning (2-26) and Liam Simpson (4-25) both striking twice, to have the visitors reeling on 16-4. However, they rallied and dug in to claim the draw on 131-8, thanks to an excellent 52 not out from skipper Dean Musther, off 126 balls.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League

Division 1

Lanchester asked visitors Morpeth to bat first, and they struggled against Greg Halliday (3-41), Callum Barnes (3-37) and Kieran Gohery (3-25), in a total of 142 all out, of which J Travers scored 61 from 44 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes, batting at number nine.

In reply, Lanchester had Marc Ramshaw to thank as he made 46 not out and then Greg Halliday added 36 not out, to win the game by six wickets, in a final total of 143-4.

Annfield Plain struggled at home to Tynedale, as David Newton took 4-15, with Matthew Scott, Tom Cant and Joshua Shuard each claiming two wickets apiece. David Baxter top scored with 33, in a total of just 85 all out. The visitors made hard work of the required runs, and it was thanks to Daniel Parker who scored 37, to get them over the line in a total of 87-7.

Division 2

Leadgate had a terrific win at home to Cowgate. They bowled the visitors out for just 95, as Graham Hubber took an excellent 5-33 and then David Richardson claimed 3-0 off 1.1 overs. Lee Innes with 40, then steered his team to 99-4, to claim the victory.

Readers Durham Cricket League

Division One

Easington travelled to Philadelphia and had to settle for a draw. They made 187 all out, thanks to Ryan Higgins scoring 33 and Omar Shahid cracked 81, while Adam Greenwell claimed 3-38. In reply, the home side totalled 134-5, with Shaun Hauxwell contributing with 35

Tudhoe journeyed to Littletown and were soundly beaten. The home side racked up 207-7, with opener Matt Dench scoring a brilliant 103 from 1143 balls, which included 14 fours and three sixes, while Phillip Bennet made 68 not out. The visitors could only muster 68 between them, as Shrey Bhatt returned an excellent 5-10 from 4.3 overs.