Roseberry Group North East Durham League.

East Rainton are still ahead in division one following their nine wickets victory at Coundon, who they reduced to just 53 all out as Gary Humphries captured six wickets for a mere 14 runs and John Roberts returned four for 11. The task was quickly completed by Gordon Steel who carried his bat for 28 in the East Rainton reply of 56 for one.

On Sunday East Rainton met Wearmouth in the final of the Vinton Trophy and won by nine wickets. Alex Ludlow took three for 41 and Darren Bell three for 17 when Wearmouth realised 121 all out. Responding East Rainton won losing one wicket, that of Gordon Steel, for 36. Neil Matthews finished unbeaten on 51 to complete an excellent weekend for East Rainton.

Newton Aycliffe are second, 13 points behind East Rainton, with 60 points still to play for. Their latest success came at home to Littleton who they defeated by seven wickets and the game was a personal triumph for Steve Bell, who completed a club record scoring his 12th half-century of the season.

He remained unbeaten on 74 with two sixes and nine boundaries as Aycliffe overtook the formidable Littletown total of 205 for five with seven wickets remaining. Victory was achieved in 34.3 out of the 45 overs. Steve Davison was also in good and he struck one six and seven fours in 50 while Stuart Mitchie contributed 35 with seven boundaries.

When Littletown batted first Chris Vallence top scored with 67 which included three sixes and eight fours.

Coxhoe, second from bottom, were all out for 65 visiting Medomsley who are just one place above them in the table. Mark Green took four wickets for 33 runs in 11 overs, three of which were maidens and the visitors' innings lasted just 24.2 overs. Their top scorer was John Connolly Snr whose 28 included four boundaries. Replying Medomsley romped home without losing a wicket in 15.5 overs. Most of their total of 67 for none came from Eric Walls whose undefeated 43 included nine fours.

Plawsworth are fourth from top and they enjoyed a narrow 12 runs victory over Sunderland Hospitals. When they batted first the visitors totalled 174 all out which included 24 by opener Ian Pratt and 58 from Stephen Peel. Mike Browbank had made 29 when he was run out and Karl Pring contributed 25 while for Hospitals, Shaw captured four wickets for 45 runs and Duncan Forrest returned two for 38.

In reply Hospitals lost a couple of early wickets before Shaw raised their hopes scoring 58. The innings was assisted by 29 extras but even so when the overs expired Hospitals had made only 162 for nine as Pring claimed four wickets for 32 runs, Peter Harwood two for 20 and Robinson two for 34.

Simonside made 190 for nine but still lost by four wickets to visitors Hunwick. Alderson opened the Hunwick reply and was still their at the end undefeated on 86 while his opening partner Breen contributed 39 and Fleming 27.

Thompson was the most successful bowler in the home attack claiming three wickets for 64 runs.

Batting first Simonside were indebted to Thompson for his contribution of 65 while Main added 26 and Phinn 23 to what appears to be a defendable total of almost 200. Johnson, with three for 57, was the most successful bowler for Hunwick for whom Pratt returned two for 28 and Little two for 50.

Belmont continue to lead division two and are in a very strong position to win promotion. Their latest victory came from second from bottom Whiteleas who they restricted to 111 when Ian Steel claimed three wickets for 13 runs and Oliver three for 43. Both Lawson and Peacock gave admirable support capturing two wickets apiece while for Whiteleas their top scorer was Brian Cauwood with 29.

In reply Belmont lost both openers for a combined total of only two runs, but Ian Steel, who went in at number three, carried his bat for 64 and Will Hay added a valuable 31 to a three wickets victory, Bemont's 13th of the season.

The top of the table clash between second placed Kelloe and Plawsworth was played at the Durham City ground on Sunday and it was Kelloe who came out on top by a margin of five wickets. The home side totalled 133 for eight which included 58 by Corner, while for Kelloe Pratt had the best analysis of three for 28.

When they replied Kelloe reached a winning margin losing five wickets as Turnbull carried his bat for 68. In the Plawsworth attack Karl Pring returned two for 30 and Simpson two for 21.

Washington posted the formidable total of 229 for six from 45 overs when they hosted Wearmouth. Andy Brown recorded 11 boundaries in 83 and John McElvanney was 69 including nine fours when he was run out.

Walton was the most successful bowler for Wearmouth claiming three wickets for 40 runs. Replying the visitors were all out for 111 as John Todd took three wickets for 44 runs and Brown four for ten while for Wearmouth their top score was an unbeaten 24 by Ian McCletchie.

After totalling 165 for six North Bitchburn bowled out visitors Bearpark for 82. Morgan captured three wickets for nine runs and Lee three for 21 while Allott gave support with two for 19.

When they made first use of the wicket North Bitchburn were indebted to Breeze, who carried his bat for 47 and to opener Gordon Dunn for his 39, while Dalton was also in form adding 25 runs. Pick of the Bearpark attack were Bell with three for 38 and Payton who captured three wickets at a cost of 39 runs.

East Rainton were at home to Benwell Hill and won by 136 runs. The visitors were all out for 58 as Ball claimed three wickets for seven runs, Hall three for 16 and Derek Reay two for 16. Runs were a lot more plentiful when East Rainton took first innings and ended on 194 for eight which included 73 by Ball and 36 by Bell. Colledge added 24 and Davison 20 to the near 200 total.

Littletown managed only 84 all out in their home game with Tantobie who won losing just one wicket. Brown returned the excellent figures of five for 32 and no fewer than 38 of the Littletown total came from the bat of Chapplow. Brian Lodge then carried his bat for 41 and English finished undefeated on 24 as Tantobie replied with 85 for one.

Kibblesworth went down by nine wickets at Burnhope where they were all out for 102 which included 28 by Bush and no fewer than 31 extras. John Spark was in fine form with the ball for Burnhope capturing four wickets for 38 runs and John Morrison took three for 13 while there was also support from Alan Selway with figures of two for 11.

When they replied Burnhope lost an early wicket but thereafter Coverley ended unbeaten on 39 and Johnson made 47 out of a match winning total of 106 for one