East Rainton closed the gap on leaders Washington to just three points when they won the match of the day by 82 runs, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Batting first, the reigning champions ended with 166 for nine on the board mainly as a result of the efforts of Gordon Steel (41) and Wills (32). Neil Matthews who opened the innings, contributed a useful 25 while for Washington, Plender took four for 28 and Lee had an analysis of two for seven.

When they replied, Washington were all out for just 34 as Gary Humphries captured four for 20 and William Orchin three for 31. Thompson top scored with 33 in the Washington innings.

Plawsworth are third but equal on points with East Rainton after securing a 26 runs victory at Wearmouth.

Batting first, Plawsworth's 45 overs produced a total of 175 for eight which included 56 by Jon Alderson who struck six boundaries. Gary Pickering was the best of the Wearmouth bowlers with three for 31 in seven overs.

Replying, Wearmouth were all out for 149 of which Malcolm Thompson scored 37. John Gott took two for 20 and Peter Harwood two for 47 for Plawsworth.

Medolmsley defeated Sunderland Hospitals by nine wickets. Faced with a target of 137 they were indebted to Dixon (35) and to Milburn who had five fours in an unbeaten 46.

Batting first, Hospitals were restricted to 136 for eight in 45 overs. Ralph Richardson top scored with 48 finding the boundary line on four occasions and for Medolmsley, Gary Dixon claimed four wickets for 38 runs in 12 overs, two of which were maidens.

Newton Aycliffe had a high scoring game at Hunwick whose formidable total of 206 all out included 67 by William Fleming, who struck a couple of sixes and eight boundaries. Keegan, R Breen and M Breed all passed 20 for Hunwick while in the Aycliffe attack, Davison, Bell and Williams all claimed a couple of wickets.

In reply, Newton Aycliffe lost three early wickets before Stephen Bell and Karl Wheeler came together and produced an unbroken match winning partnership for the fourth wicket.

Bell ended with 80 not out which included one six and ten boundaries while Wheeler was unbeaten on 53 hitting one six and seven fours. Johnson was the most successful with the ball in the Hunwick attack with three for 56 from 12 overs.

Simonside had only 18 runs on hand of Coundon following a high scoring game. Batting first, Simonside realised 194 for nine as the runs flowed from M Thompson (32), P Thompson (86) and Phinn (40). Tait was among the wickets for Coundon claiming five for just 50 runs.

Tait then opened the visitor's reply and scored 32 which together with 33 by Murray put Coundon in with a chance but when Barnes took a hat trick and ended with four for 28, the innings ended on 176 all out. Main, Bunker and P Thompson all took two wickets for Simonside.

Kelloe managed only 86 all out but then made Belmont fight all the way before losing by three wickets. In a game dominated by bowlers, Noble took five for 41 and R Welsh three for 23 for Belmont who then found Hughes (3-18) in good form with the ball for Kelloe. Belmont though eventually secured a three wickets victory.

Washington continue to lead Division Two after defeating Littletown by 57 runs. Kirtley top scored with 76 when Washington ended with 166 for six on the board while for Littletown, Woollett was the most successful of the six man attack with three for 36.

Nelson raised the hopes of Littletown when he opened the reply scoring 40 but the innings ended with 109 on top as Fallon, introduced as second change in the Washington attack, claimed six for a mere 23 runs.

Tantobie romped to the magnificent total of 300 for three in just 45 overs at home to Bearpark. Stephen English struck three sixes and 11 boundaries in 105, Brent Lodge ended unbeaten on 75 with six sixes and five fours and George Petrie contributed 48 finding the boundary line eight times.

Bearpark used five bowlers in their attack and the most successful was Rob Willis with two for 58 from 12 overs.

When they went into bat, Bearpark ended with 149 all out from 40.2 overs. Alan Kelly who went in at number three, top scored with 44 which included two sixes and four boundaries. Craig Hewitt added 29 but the innings was dominated by the bowling of Jason Greenside who with eight overs, including three maidens, returned the magnificent figures of five wickets for just nine runs.

Burnhope overtook the North Bitchburn total of 124 with six wickets remaining.

Gray (24) and Mills (42) gave the innings a good send off before Omar ended unbeaten on 37 out of a total of 129 for four.

When they made first use of the wicket North Bitchburn realised 124 of which opening batsman Dalton scored 43. Gray had a good day with the ball for Burnhope claiming five for 34 and Trow took two for 24.

East Rainton were another side to make a positive reply and they had six wickets remaining defeating Coxhoe. Needing 124 runs for victory they were indebted to Stephen Iley for his opening contribution of 33 and to Colledge who ended unbeaten on 22.

Gary Bloomfield top performed with the bat for Coxhoe scoring 30 in an all out total of 123 while for East Rainton, Hall had figures of four for 26 and Noble three for 31.

Newton Aycliffe managed just 76 all out visiting Medomsley for whom Stokoe took four for 20 and Griff three for 16.

Medomsley were never troubled in their response and 31 by P Kirkup and an unbeaten 30 from S Kirkup earned them an eight wickets victory.