Birtley are still out in front of the Under-16 division following their 9-3 victory at home to Beamish.

Ian Taylor rifled four goals, Phil Wadge struck a hat-trick and Mark Crawford bagged a brace of goals.

Blaydon also won to keep the heat on Birtley. They saw off the challenge from Blackfyne by a 9-0 margin when most of the goals came from David Taylor (3), Mark Waugh (3) and Karl Theaker.

Blaydon, who had a game in hand on Birtley, are seven points adrift of the leaders, but Consett lost ground when they were defeated 8-3 by lowly Redheugh. Scott Reay recorded a hat-trick for Consett, but still finished on the losing side. Chris Wilson also hit three goals for the Reds and George Whitfield struck a couple of goals for the winners.

Just one game was played in the Under-17 division and Blackfyne moved to within three points of top of the table Leam Rangers with a 7-1 victory at home to Blaydon. Gavin Clews and Shaun Hodgson both scored twice for Blackfyne.

Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League

All sides were engaged in the Palmer Cup and league leaders Lumley progressed, but not before they were almost shocked by Ryhope.

Trailing by three goals at the halfway stage, Ryhope staged a revival and almost snatched a draw. Glen Bosher scored from a free kick and when Mark Lawton made the score 3-2, it was all to play for.

Lumley held on, however, and were grateful for first-half goals by Craig McManus, Michael Collins and an own goal.

Herrington produced the biggest score of the day when they hit second bottom Sacriston with an 8-1 defeat. Sacriston, sporting their new kit which has been sponsored by Barclaycard, scored a consolation goal through Andrew Berry, but they were overwhelmed by the strength of Herrington, who are in contention for the championship.

No fewer than seven Herrington players scored and the other goal was credited to a Sacriston player. Robert Houghton, Mark Briggs, Michael Hedley, Craig Ellison, Kyle Dinsdale, Shaun Sweeney and David Smith were all on target for Herrington.

In contrast, just one goal separated Lambton Street from Washington Dunlop at the end of an exciting seven-goal tie. At the interval Dunlop led 3-1, but Lambton almost snatched a draw with second half goals from David Snowdon and Ryan Wood after Snowdon had also found the net in the opening 45 minutes.

Jarrow St Bedes, who are second in the table behind Lumley, had no difficulty winning the local derby with Hebburn. Most of the goals for Jarrow came from Buckingham (2), Myers and Farrell, while Hart and Welsh replied for Hebburn.

Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League

Redheugh reached the last four of the League Cup competition with a 2-1 success over Walker Central for whom Ian Scott scored. Stephen Brown and John Berry took the Reds into the semi-finals.

Two games were played in the league and Consett produced the highest score of the day when they put nine goals past Prudhoe Town, who managed three in reply.

Andy Green (2), Daniel Craggs (2), Craig Rice, Robbie Blemmings, Michael Fraser, Craig Simpson, David Lucas and John Gilmour all found the net for the Steelmen while David Lumley bagged a brace for Prudhoe.

In the other match Whitley Bay ended 5-2 ahead of West Denton.

Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League

There were no games in the Under-11 division, but at Under-12 level two sides won and both Chopwell and Whickham Fellside B are now just six points adrift of Leam Rangers Y.

Chopwell hosted Blaydon and and won comfortably when Lee Best scored a hat-trick, while Whickham Fellside B visited Consett and won 6-1 when Niall Quinn and Elliott Middlemiss both bagged a brace of goals.

Swalwell enjoyed a 3-1 victory when they hosted Beamish and Adam Gibson was another player to score twice.

In their remaining fixture Cleveland Hall went to Low Fell and won by the odd goal in three.

Only one match was played in the Under-13 division and Cleveland Hall hammered Blackfyne when Jamie Huggin found the net on two occasions.

Two ties were played in the Under-13 League Subsidiary Cup and there were wins for Consett and Winlaton, the latter securing a 5-1 success at Low Fell C.

Consett also won comfortably when they put four goals past Blaydon who failed to respond. Lee Potts grabbed a couple of goals.

In the Under-14 section, Blaydon took over at the top when they hammered Burnside, who are second from bottom, 8-0. Tony Newton, Craig Watson, Shaun Vipond and Shaun Seggars all scored twice.

Leam Rangers ended 2-1 victors over Cleveland Hall and Blackfyne also won by a 2-1 margin visiting Redheugh.

Beamish produced the highest score in the division when they recorded nine goals in their home fixture with Cooperhall. Craig Payley scored four times and Martin Gladden twice.

At Under-15 level Stocksfield secured a 3-2 success in their home game with Beamish and Felling consolidated third position with a 4-2 win at Consett. Felling, who have played the same number of games, are just a point adrift of second placed Cleveland Hall. The pair, though, are well behind Blaydon, who enjoy a nine points lead over Cleveland Hall.