Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Tynedale won the match of the day against Ashington to open up a slender lead at the top.

The runs flowed as Scott Kay hit a wonderful 143 with four sixes and 13 boundaries. He formed a second-wicket partnership of 180 with Stuart Graham, who had three sixes and nine fours carrying his bat for 88 and Neil Clark contributed 35 to the formidable Tynedale total of 285 for two.

Despite David Rutherford opening with 62 and Greg Williams adding 65, Ashington's reply ended in the 46th over with 226 on top and defeat cost them the leadership.

Champions Lanchester had 61 runs in hand of Shotley Bridge, Naheem Feroz contributed a half century to Lanchester's 189-8 with Peter Collingwood and Phil Brown both taking three wickets in the visitors' attack.

Shotley's reply never gained momentum and although Ian Archbold hit a late 34, a total of only 128 was achieved as Wallace Albertyn claimed four wickets at economical cost.

Benwell and Walbottle had four runs to spare at the end of a high-scoring game at Lintz. George Dakers and Brown both struck half centuries as the visitors totalled 194-5. Stuart Clennell and Anthony Ward reached 30 but in an exciting finale, last-man Chris Bowes was run out with five required.

Newly-promoted Whickham are the only side without a win after going down by eight wickets at Leadgate. Richard Boschen had three sixes and a couple of boundaries in 57 playing the leading part when Whickham totalled 158-9 in their 50 overs.

Bilal Rana and Masood Mirza each bowled 15 overs sharing seven wickets before David Hutchinson hit a quick-fire unbeaten 68 including four sixes and seven fours cementing Leadgate's eight-wickets victory.

Ross McLaren produced a good all-round performance in Sacriston's six-wickets defeat of Newcastle City.

His five-wicket haul, together with three by Martin Hubber had City back in the pavilion for 85 in 31.3 overs. McLaren then made a valuable unbeaten 21 in Sacriston's reply.

Despite making 214, which included a century by Stephen Humble and 50 from Paul Dumigham, Swalwell lost by five wickets to Annfield Plain. Aldo Van den Berg was their matchwinner, batting throughout for an undefeated 113 and David Baxter gave support making 47.