RYHOPE CW moved to the top of the table when they overcame New Marske and previous leaders Scarborough Town suffered defeat against Kirkbymoorside.
A Michael Mackin header on 41 minutes gave New Marske the lead but four minutes into the second period Ryhope’s John Butler produced a clever chip for the equaliser.
Almost immediately Richard Jordan also struck for the Wearsiders who claimed three points as Butler beat the offside trap, near the end.
Scarborough Town were involved in an eight-goal thriller at home to Kirkbymoorside whose first 12 games produced just 26 goals.
There was no stopping the visitors, however, and the goals flowed from Alex Strickland (2), Paul Round (2) and Johnny Brown. Joe Ramm, Robbie Hawkes and Mark Barber were on target for the Seasiders who lost for only the second time.
At the other end of the table Coxhoe Athletic celebrated their first win and did so in style, going nap at home to Guisborough Town HC.
Junior Nasandi was an early scorer for the visitors but within four minutes Kevin Mulgrew restored parity and by the interval Coxhoe were two up with a brace from Peter Bulmer.
John Cairns threw Guisborough a lifeline converting a penalty but the hosts finished strongly and were rewarded with further goals from Chris Garbutt and Adam McDonald.
Second-bottom Willington led courtesy of Adam Blenkinsopp and John Richardson but Silksworth rallied and shared the points thanks to Scott Walker and Andrew Bowes.
Pool">Hartlepool are third from the basement after losing a three-goals thriller to Boldon CA on South Tyneside.
Shaun Heads fired the home side in front but it was no more than Pools deserved as Ian Davies headed in the equaliser. Boldon though grabbed the points with Chris Robertson’s strike.
Ashbrooke Belford House enjoyed a four-goals romp at Houghton Town whose only reply came from Gavin Doorward.
By then, the Wearsiders were three goals ahead through David Baxter, Peter Benson and Lee Harrison.
Late in the game Baxter scored his second goal.
Gary Beadle came up trumps for Annfield Plain, scoring the winner with only five minutes remaining, at Easington Colliery.
Eddie Miller and Barry Lindoe had the Plain two goals up inside 25 minutes but the Colliers launched a rally which saw them equalise with strikes from Martin Langley and Robert Huntley.
Wearside League By Malcolm
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