Newton Aycliffe still have a narrow one point lead over East Rainton at the top of Division One.

They defeated Coundon by 75 runs and the game was memorable for Stephen Bell who carried his bat for 105 and has now scored over 1000 runs this season.

Bell struck two sixes and 13 boundaries together with Stuart Mitchie who hit no fewer than ten fours and 48 from John Williams with three sixes and four boundaries propelled Newton Aycliffe to 258 for four in just 45 overs. Hardy was the pick of the Coundon attack with two wickets for 51 runs.

In reply, Coundon made a bold attempt but managed only 183 for eight in their 45 overs. Openers Thompson, who had four fours in 46 and Hardy (29) gave them a good start and with the addition of 33 extras a respectable total was realised. Little claimed two wickets for 33 runs, J Williams two for 36 and Davison two for 34 in the Newton Aycliffe attack.

East Rainton had 155 runs to spare visiting Coxhoe. Ashley Proud ended unbeaten on 112 and Roy Richardson added 80 to the East Rainton total of 280 for six which included 25 by Jim Roberts and 21 from Colin Henderson. Appleby had figures of two for 56 in the Coxhoe attack responding the home side were all out for 25 as Gary Humphries captured five wickets for 31 runs, John took three for 28 and Ian Kitching two for 22. Bloomfield with 26 and Appleby (20) top performed with the bat for Coxhoe.

After being reducted to 114 all out, Hospitals lost by eight wickets to Simonside. Glenshaw top scored with 27 when Hospitals made first use of the wicket and for Simonside, Haynes took four wickets for 25 runs, Thompson three for 21 and Main two for 40. When they went into bat Simonside quickly accumulated the necessary runs. Thompson opened with 21 before being stumped, Smith made the game's top score of 54 and Parks carried his bat for 35.

Plawsworth maintained their good form defeating Littletown by six wickets. Despite 46 by Davis, 29 from Vallance and 20 by Nelson, Littletown made just 121 as Karl Pring returned figures of three for 34, Neil Dargue had three for 14 and John Got took two for 23.

Despite losing two early wickets, Plawsworth were never in danger. John Alderson contributed 59 and Stuart Whitfield an unbeaten 45 to a match winning total of 125 for four. Colin Bede took two for 28 and the other two went to John Ricketts at a cost of 31 runs.

Medomsley hosted Wearmouth and at the conclusion the home side came out on top by a single run. Batting first, Medomsley were all out in 32 for 95 as Peter Stronach took four for 17, six of which were maidens. Gordon Havelock returned two for 16 and Dhillon two for 24. Mark Dixon top scored with 43, which included one six and five boundaries for Medomsley. Responding, Wearmouth were in trouble but Stronach, who went in at number nine, almost pulled the game out of the fire when he carried his bat for 21. Earlier, Crowe scored 31 but when man of the match Mark Dixon captured five wickets for 48 runs in 12 overs and G Dixon claimed four for 26, Wearmouth were all out for 94, just a run short of the Medomsley total.

Hunwick made a useful 219 all out in their home game with Washington. Lyall contributed 107 and Rayner 35 before Hebron, who went in at number 10 added a useful 20 runs. Little was the most successful bowler in the Hunwick attack claiming five for 57 and Johnson and Irwin claimed two wickets apiece. When they replied Hunwick made a useful start through Alderson (28) and Breen (24). Although Pratt added 28 and Johnson an unbeaten 21 they could only manage 157 for seven in the 45 overs. Lyall completed a man of the match performance taking three wickets for 35 runs, Hebron took two for 30 and Thompson two for 37.

Belmont are still ahead in Division Two and they had 85 runs to spare at Wearmouth where they posted 242 for six in 45 overs. Will Hay top scored with 63 before being bowled by Paul Lewis, Errington contributed 35, Dholan 30 and Davison 42 while for Wearmouth, Lewis was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 56 from nine overs.

When they replied, Wearmouth lost both openers for a combined total of just three runs before Kenneth Bowmaker, who went in at number three, contributed 44. Colin Barrella added 30 but the innings closed on 157 after 30.1 overs. Peacock had a good deal with the ball for Belmont capturing five for 48 and Noble and Choudhury took two wickets apiece.

Kelloe are second after they hurried to a ten wickets victory at home to Kibblesworth. The visitors were all out for a mere 39 runs as Pratt claimed four for five, Bowery four for 25 and Hughes two for four. Responding, Kelloe did not lose a wicket as Thirlwell ended unbeaten on 23 and Bowery also carried his bat for 14 runs.

Whiteleas had 29 runs in hand visiting Benwell Hill where they totalled 174 for seven in the maximum 24 overs.

Baxter top scored with 65 and Sowden added 34 to the Whiteleas total of 174 for seven and four of the wickets were claimed by Ali who dismissed both openers for 31 runs. John Weatherhead was also in form for the home side taking two wickets at a cost of 22 runs.

When they went into bat Benwell Hill were dismissed for 145 which included 32 by opener Guscott. Brown carried his bat for 20 but generally the batsmen were well contained by the Whiteleas attack in which Peterson captured four for 30.

Littletown were all out for 92 at East Rainton who won by seven wickets. Nixon scored no fewer than 54 of the Littletown total and for East Rainton, Ludlow had the splendid figures of three for 13 and both Ball and Noble took one apiece. Replying, East Rainton were indebted to Ludlow for his opening contribution of 26 and to Davidson for 46 after going in at number three. Two of the three wickets to fall were taken by Nixon at a cost of just 15 runs.

Burnhope were sent back with only 75 runs on the board replying to the Washington total of 131 all out. Bowes was in splendid form for Washington taking six for 25 and Fallon claimed three for 19.

Batting first, Washington posted 131 all out with Cuthbertson making a top scoring 25 while for Burnhope, Sparks, Gray, Reynoldson and Trow all captured two wickets.

Bearpark dismissed Tantobie for just 67 to win by 109. Lishman picked up four for 16, Bell two for 11, Paton two for 13 and Willis two for 26 for Bearpark who, when they made first use of the wicket made 176 for four. Marshall, who opened the innings, was still there at the end unbeaten on 69 and Kelly added 32. Most successful bowler in the Tantobie attack whose two wickets cost him just 21 runs.