Washington moved back to the top of division one when they defeated third placed Plawsworth in their game which was played at Durham City's ground on Sunday, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Batting first Washington realised 195 for eight with Thompson scoring 39 and Lyall 34. Kevin Jones returned four for 31 and Stephen Peel three for 31 for Plawsworth who in reply went close before the innings ended on 183 all out.

Peel and Harwood both scored 33 and John Gott 30 and in the Washington bowling line-up Bilton had the excellent figures of three for 17 and Hebron three for 25.

Kelloe were all out for just 93 in 28 overs when they visited Simonside. The match was a personal triumph for Steve Barnes who took a hat-trick for the second successive game finishing with the magnificent figures of seven for 18 in 8.1 overs. Tommy Main returned two for 28 in eight overs and for Kelloe opening batsman Tunstall scored 40.

Replying Simonside batted 21 overs before winning, losing just one wicket. Ian Eglintine was bowled by Turnbull for 28 but Mark Thompson finished unbeaten on 50 with nine boundaries and partners Robbie Watson in an unbroken stand for the second wicket.

Newton Aycliffe totalled 262 for five in their games at Coundon who replied with 166 all out. Bell was unbeaten on 117 and Stuart Mitchie contributed 64 for Aycliffe, while for Coundon, Timms claimed three wickets for 57 runs.

Tate top scored with 64 and John Askew added 37 for Coundon, while Mitchie completed a good game taking three wickets for 13 runs.

Medomsley defeated Hunwick by seven wickets. When they made first use of the wicket Hunwick totalled 138 which included 24 by Fleming, 43 from Budd and 26 not out by Melville.

M Dixon had a good day with the ball for Medomsley taking five wickets for a meagre 20 runs.

Replying Medomsley lost two early wickets before Charlton contributed 44 and Hines an unbeaten 36 to a match-winning total of 139 for three.

East Rainton in second position scored almost 300 runs at Belmont who in response were all out for 114 including 32 by Bill Hay. Alan Maskell contributed 100, Colin Henderson 41 and Kinsella an undefeated 76 to the East Rainton total of 297 for four. Gary Humphries returned three for 36 and Jon three for 28 in the East Rainton attack.

Openers Phil O'Ware (77no) and Wayman (68) laid the foundation for Wearmouth's match-winning 233 for six at Sunderland Hospitals. Matthew Dench (23) and Wright (26) helped the score along before Hospitals responded with 138 which included 78 by R Shaw. Murphy with four for 27 and Stronach who had three for 41 were both prominent in the Wearmouth attack.

In division two Newton Aycliffe are still without a win losing for the ninth time when they hosted Tantobie.

Martin Haigh (33) and Tony Musgrave with an undefeated 32 scored most of the runs when Aycliffe ended with 99 from 43.2 overs. John Greenside claimed four of the wickets for 23 runs in 10.3 overs and Petrie had three for 27, while Hogarth weighed in with two wickets for Tantobie.

In reply the visitors needed only 14.2 overs and conceded just one wicket before securing victory. Steve English ended undefeated on 44 striking seven boundaries while both Petrie and Bell contributed 19 runs.

Littletown romped to 260 for one in their home game with North Bitchburn.

Davis batted throughout the innings for 84 not out, but it was Nelson who shone as he struck a magnificent 134 not out.

Although Dalton opened with 20 and Morgan with 38 North Bitchburn never threatened. Allott ended undefeated on 20 in a total of 120 with John Ricketts claiming three for 32 and Strong four for 17 for Littletown.

Coxhoe made 172 for six before reducing Medomsley to 145. Mullen top scored with 47 for the home side whose total included 22 by Williams, 23 from Bloomfield and 23 by Atkinson. Graham, with two wickets for 17 runs, was the most successful bowler in the five-man Medomsley attack.

When they responded Medomsley struggled until Charlton contributed 38 and Stokoe 22 batting late in the order. Bloomfield with three wickets for 25 runs was the top wicket taker, but Strange, Uttley and Williams all took two wickets for Coxhoe.

Johnson (66) and Morrison (57) laid the foundations for Burnhope's 220 for seven at East Rainton, but the total proved insufficient. Thompson had earlier scored 27 before being run out while for East Rainton, Ball, introduced as fourth change, captured four wickets for 38 runs.

Despite facing a formidable target, East Rainton won with their last pair at the wicket. Bell opened with 52 and there were other useful scores from Davison, Noble and Tommy Hannon before Dan Defty finished with 27 not out forming a match-winning last wicket partnership with Hall. Gray with three for 62 and Morrison three for 57 shared six wickets for Burnhope.

Thompson (37) and Barella (53) were both in good form for Wearmouth who reached 159 in their home fixture with Bearpark. Opening batsman Larkin scored a useful 25 and for Bearpark Tate and Patton both took three wickets.

The visitors went on to win losing just one wicket as Hewitt (83no) and Bell (57) formed an unbroken century partnership for the second wicket.

Washington had 83 runs to spare in their home fixture with Plawsworth. Batting first Washington made a total of 179 for eight. In reply the Plawsworth side were all out for 96.