Bass North Cleveland League / Roseberry Group North East Durham League

When the visitors batted first they were all out in 20.5 overs with just 50 runs on the board. Jeff Morrison claimed six wickets for just 21 runs in 10.5 overs, five of which were maidens and Robert Whitwell had four for 20 from his nine overs of which three were maidens.

Replying Loftus lost an early wicket but romped home when Sanderson and Dixon both carried their bats for 24.

Hinderwell are second but they lost ground in the race for the championship when they went down by 65 runs to Staithes. Runs were at a premium but Staithes eventually realised 123 all out in 37 overs. Mark Allen opened the innings scoring 39 and Chris Jackson who went in at number three, contributed a good 42. Simon Bowes was in good form with the ball for Hinderwell taking four for 29 runs in nine overs and Andrew Spencley had four for 18 from his eight over stint.

The hopes of Hinderwell that they would win for the seventh time in nine attempts were quickly thwarted by Mark Allen and Stuart Theaker. Allen took six wickets for 44 runs in 9.4 overs and Theaker conceded just four runs in nine overs, bowling seven maidens while capturing four wickets. Hinderwell were all out in 19.4 overs with just 58 runs on the board.

After making a useful 153 for eight, Norton lost by five wickets to Paragonians. Harker junior top scored with 45 for Norton and Pyle contributed 28 before Bowler carried his bat for 28 towards the end of the innings. Melrose returned three for 35 and Allison three for 51 in the Paragonians attack.

When the home side responded they lost early wickets before Davies and undefeated 43 and Allison who carried his bat for 37, formed an unbroken match-winning partnership for the sixth of wicket. Tempest took four for the five wickets to fall for just 18 runs.

Brotton ended with 147 all out on the board which was more than sufficient in their home fixture with Normanby Parklands who made just 71 in reply. M Broughton returned the figures of six for nine runs and Yeoman had three for 24 for Brotton.

When they made first use of the wicket Brotton were given a reasonable start by Ridley, Smith and N Broughton, who all got into double figures but it was Garbutt who increased the temp scoring 34. Near the end Whitwell added the useful 19 while for Normanby Parklands Fox was another bowler in the game who produced outstanding form with eight for 43.

The Merlin overtook the Dormans total of 125 all out with three wickets remaining. Pacitto opened the innings making 27 but when wickets fell quickly it was left to Tweedy to rescue the Merlin and just 43 was a vital contribution to the match-winning total of 129 for seven.

When they batted first, Dormans were indebted to opener Patton for his 30 and Brunton added 26 but the batsmen were dominated by Tweedy who claimed eight of the wickets for just 46 runs. He was undoubtedly man of the match.

Boosbeck had 56 runs to spare in their top of division two game with Moorsholm who remain second. When they made first use of the wicket, Boosbeck were given a reasonable start by Ward (26) before S Lorraines took 60 off the Moorsholm attack. When Passmore contributed 22 the innings produced the healthy total of 185 all out with Ward taking four for 73 for Moorsholm. Burton, Bajay and Allison all claimed two wickets for the visitors.

When they responded Moorsholm were given encouragement by Wheatman (27) despite two early batsmen failing to get off the mark. Hucker added 36 but the innings only produced 129 all out as D Lorraines captured six of the wickets for 61 runs and Daynes took two for 30.

Blacksmiths Arms were all out for just 45 at Dormanstown who won at a cantor. Charlie Hatch claimed five for 11 runs in 12 overs, bowling four maidens and Anthony Dowson also sent down 12 overs in the home attack returning four for 30. The Blacksmiths Arms innings lasted 24 overs but Dormanstown needed only 9.2 overs to reach the modest winning target. After Tony Lloyd departed for 13 runs his son Philip carried his bat in partnership with Steven Johnson, who struck four boundaries in an undefeated 23.

Normanby Parklands realised 102 all out before losing by three wickets to Skelton Castle. Rashid (19) and Reid (22) formed a partnership for the second wicket but runs were always at a premium as Hill claimed six wickets for a meagre 21 runs. Elliott gave support with two wickets at a cost of eight runs before Skelton Castle won losing seven wickets. Mitchell (26) made a valuable contribution at number four before Brown added a similar score. Rogers was the most successful bowler in the Parklands attack with two for 27.

Cowpen Bewley managed only 99 all out as Taggart returned eight for 41 in the New Marske attack. The modest total would have been a great deal less but for an unbeaten 27 by Barlow who went in last for Cowpen Bewley.

Replying, New Marske were pleased that opening batsmen Lynn was in form and he batted throughout the innings ending undefeated on 42 out of a total of 103 for six. Alderson gave support with 27 and for Cowpen Bewley Quinn took four sixes for 42 runs.

Loftus enjoyed a nine wickets victory at Ormesby Hall where they replied with a total of 127 for one. Their victory was secured by an unbroken second wicket stand between Berrill (34no) and Tyreman, who carried his bat for 52.

When Ormesby Hall made first use of the wicket they found run-making difficult but 21 by Brunton and 24 from Pelling enabled a reasonable total to be achieved even though Carr caputr3ed three for 22 runs in the Loftus attack. Bulmer with two for 42, Kentfield (2-22) and Shaw whose two wickets were taken at a cost of 19 runs, were also in form with the ball for Loftus.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

East Rainton remain top of division one despite their game with Coundon being timed out at the weekend.

Rain caused delays and at the end East Rainton were 31 runs short of victory with seven wickets remaining. They received ten points and Coundon were awarded nine points.

Batting first Coundon finished with 151 for nine on the board and most of the runs came from Timms (23) and Tate who contributed 37 before Rothwell added a valuable 20 runs later in the order.

Ludlow had a good day with the ball for East Rainton and claimed six of the nine wickets to fall for just 57 runs.

Replying East Rainton were given a good send off by Neil Matthews with 50 and Colin Henderson added 38, but eventually time ran out.

Newton Aycliffe managed to complete and win their game at Littletown and are now 30 points adrift of East Rainton. Littletown managed only 106 for the loss of six wickets and their top performers were Nixon (20), Andy Woollett (22), Nelson (29no) and Davies (27).

Williams top performed with the ball for Newton Aycliffe taking four wickets for 17 runs and Gledhill had figures of two for 18.

Responding Newton Aycliffe won losing one wickets. Williams opened the innings and scored 37 and his colleague Bell carried his bat for 45.

Plawsworth were full value for their big win over Sunderland Hospitals. When they made first use of the wicket Plawsworth posted 243 for six with Ian Pratt making 71 and John Alderson 60. Liddle was the most successful bowler for Hospitals taking three for 47 and when the visitors replied they were all out for 151 as Dargue claimed six of the wickets for a mere 20 runs. Glen Shaw top scored with 50 for Hospitals.

Simonside won by four wickets on their visit to Hunwick. Replying to the home team's total of 122 all out, Simonside made 123 for six which included 20 by Thompson and 25 from Phinn. Wold and Parkes then contributed 35 runs between them in an unbroken partnership for the seventh wicket. Pratt took three for 39 and Nevison two for 32 for Hunwick.

When they batted first Hunwick lost both openers cheaply, but Pratt retrieved the situation scoring 39, but the eventual total of 122 proved insufficient. Maine claimed four of the wickets for a meagre 19 runs.

Washington just had the edge over Wearmouth winning by nine runs. Batting first Washington recovered from a poor start to eventual post 138 for nine. Bewick top scored with 43 and Alan Kitchen carried his bat for 20, while Paul Hebron added a valuable 21 at the end of the innings. All five bowlers used in the attack were successful.

Replying the visitors were always in with a chance especially after the good start they made, but the innings closed on 129 all out.

Phil O'Ware made 45 before being run out and his opening partner Matthew Dench added 23. Wright added a valuable 24 in the mid order, but when Lyall was introduced into the Washington attack for third change and captured four wickets for only 15 runs to add to the three for 24 analysis by Plender, it was Washington who took maximum points.

In division two Belmont are the leaders despite losing by 96 runs to second top Burnhope. After conceding 217 for six to Burnhope, Belmont were all out for only 121.

Brooks top scored with 35 and Reynoldson added 20, but when Trow claimed five wickets for only 25 runs and both Alan Selway and John Spark took two wickets apiece, Belmont were well beaten.

Batting first Burnhope were indebted to a third wicket partnership between Johnson (56) and Morrison (60). Omar contributed 39 and Mills 22 to the formidable total of more than 200. Noble was the most successful bowler in the Belmont attack with figures of three for 57.

East Rainton are third top and they had six wickets in hand at the end of a low scoring game at Whiteleas. Batting first Whiteleas managed only 75 all out and more than half the runs were scored by two players, Brian Cauwood (22) and Baxter (23). Hall claimed five of the wickets for just 25 runs and both Defty and Reay captured two wickets apiece. Replying East Rainton lost early wickets before securing 20 points losing a total of four wickets in the process. They were pleased that Ball found form and his unbeaten 24 was an important contribution.

Bearpark defeated Littletown by four wickets. Needing 114 runs, Bearpark lost openers Jones and Ghafoor for a combined total of only 15 runs before Parker added a valuable 28. Hazell then contributed 28 to see Bearpark home despite Nixon taking two wickets for just 21 runs in the Littletown attack.

Batting first Littletown struggled early on before Milne (36) and Mason (23) came together, but following their dismissals the innings closed on 113 all out as Berry claimed four wickets for 17 runs, Hazell three for three and Tate three for 26.

Washington were pegged to 105 for nine in their game at Kelloe who won by seven wickets. Runs were at a premium in the Washington innings and the top scorer was Colledge with 22. Turnbull, Hughes and Pratt all took two wickets before Bowery opened for Kelloe scoring 23. Thirlwell was the match winner, however, as he carried his bat for 44.

Plawsworth visited Tantobie and ended winners by an 80 runs margin. Batting first Plawsworth realised 167 for seven from 45 overs. Top scorer was John Brookes who had four boundaries in 29, but there were also useful scores of 28 by Corner, 25 from Surtees and 21 not out by McMahon. Craig was the most productive bowler in the Tantobie attack taking four wickets for 46 runs.

When they went into bat Tantobie were all out in 19.4 overs with just 87 runs on the board. John Surtees sent down 9.4 overs taking four wickets for 35 runs and both Prestead and Hinton took two wickets each. Bellamy top scored with 23 for Tantobie