Nick the pick of the bunch

Nick Thompson was in splendid form when he led Washington to a match-winning 143 for eight in their home game with Coundon.

He stroked four boundaries contributing 62 and Gordon Carr (27) and Alan Kitchen (20) also contributed runs to the final total of 143 for eight accumulated from the maximum 45 overs. Brian Hardy, with four wickets for 33 runs in 16 overs, four of which were maidens, top performed with the ball for Coundon.

When the visitors replied they were all in 27 overs for just 91 as Billy Plender took four for 26 in 13 overs, five of which were maidens and Alan Kitchen claimed four for 27 from eight overs. The other two wickets were accredited to Andrew Wilkie for 27 runs in six overs.

Belford House had 15 runs to spare when they entertained Littletown. Batting first the home side reached 131 all out and the total included a top scoring 36 by Flinton while for Littletown, Bede had the excellent figures of five for 18 and Nelson returned three for 48.

Responding, the first three Littletown batsmen contributed only 14 runs between them but Nelson, with 32, Davies (21) and Bede with an unbeaten 28 gave their side hope before the innings closed on 116. Havelock, with four for 33 and Pickering, whose three wickets cost just 33 runs, starred in the Belford House attack.

Coxhoe overtook the formidable Hospitals total of 177 for nine with three wickets in tact. Opened Bloomfield hit an excellent 70 and Metcalfe made 41 before he was run out. Southern added a valuable 27.

When Hospitals batted first, Bloomfield claimed five of the nine wickets for 60 runs and in the home innings, Edwards, Shaw and Biljoen all past 30.

East Rainton maintained their position at the top of the table defeating Wearmouth by eight wickets. Although Wright scored 25, Colin Davison 26 and Matthew Dench 25, Wearmouth managed only 124 all out as Roy Richardson claimed eight wickets for only 56 runs.

Responding, East Rainton won at a canter. Neil Matthews had made 30 when he had to retire injured but the good work was continued by Gordon Steel (35) and Ashley Proud (31).

Alan Maskell carried his bat for 22 forming an unbroken third wicket partnership with Proud.

Newton Aycliffe had six wickets to spare in their one game with Benwell Hill. Haig hit a half century and Weatherhead 31 before Dawson added a late 30 to be Benwell total of 168 all out. Maddison with three for 20 and Mitchie (4-51) were both among the wickets for Newton Aycliffe.

When they went in to bat Newton Aycliffe were well served by Davison (61) and Bell who finished unbeaten on 50. The pair produced a century partnership for the second wicket.

In Division Two, Burnhope just had the edge on Bearpark where they won a low scoring game by three wickets. Batting first, the home side were all out in 28 overs for just 97 which included 43 by John Smith who hit eight fours when he opened the innings. Fred Gray was in splendid form with the ball for Burnhope claiming five for 38 in 13 overs and Stephen Laws had three for seven from the four overs he sent down.

In reply, Burnhope lost seven wickets before securing the maximum points. John Smith with four for 50 in eight overs and Neville Lishman whose seven overs produced three for 43, almost pulled the game out of the fire for Bearpark.

Hunwick won a high scoring game at Tantobie by three wickets. They faced the formidable target of 213 but their batsmen rose to the occasion. Opened Alderson scored 74 and Keegans 46 leading their side to victory.

In the Tantobie innings none did better than opener Petrie with 77. His opening partner Robson contributed 32 and Lodge who went in at number three maintained the momentum with 33. Keegans captured five for 79 and Nevison took three for 85 in the Hunwick attack.

Kibblesworth slumped to 86 all out visiting Whiteleas for whom Baxter took four for 49 and Hale four for 24. In reply, however, the Whiteleas batsmen fared worse and were all out for just 77 with Dent returning the outstanding figures of seven for 35 and Wilson three for 40.

Belmont were dismissed for 110 in their home fixture with Washington for whom Fallon had six for 36 and Bowes three for 39.

Colledge steered Washington to victory when he opened the innings and made 44, setting up his side's five wickets success.

Wearmouth, fielding a weakened side, were all out for just 40 when they visited Kelloe for whom Turnbull had three for 16 and Hughes three for five.

An unbeaten 23 by Bowery earned Kelloe a decisive nine wickets victory.

Plawsworth totalled 127 with Robinson top scoring on 30 while in the East Rainton attack which was shared by just two bowlers, Reay returned six for 73 and Defty four for 48.

After conceding three early wickets East Rainton were grateful to Hall who went in at number four and carried his bat for 62. He eventually found a partner in Tom Hannon and when he contributed an undefeated 32 the pair shared an unbroken partnership for the seventh wicket which took East Rainton to victory. Peter Harwood, with three for 35 and Mel Chivers (2-43) took five of the six wickets to go down.

North Bitchburn were full of runs when they visited Simonside posting 242 for the loss of just wickets. Opening batsmen Dunn and Allott both scored 72 and the good work was continued by Pinkney who ended with 41 not out.

Although opening batsman Thompson finished undefeated in 74, Simonside could only reply with 137 and North Bitchburn had 112 runs to spare.

Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-13s

Chester-le-Street enjoyed success at Felling in midweek, after posting an incredible 299 from 20 overs. Darren Redfearn hit 54 not out which included five sixes and six fours.

He was ably supported by Jack Taylor 48 not out, Andrew Summers 45 Steven McTaggart 36 and Andrew Bowron 34. Jack Taylor was the pick of the bowlers taking four wickets for 13 runs in his three overs, helping Chester to a comfortable victory.

Chester were then hosts to South Hetton who inspired by impressive bowling from Gary Ashcroft, limited Chester to 197. Ashcroft took three for 21. Anthony McMahon scored 27 not out which included two sixes and two fours and Darren Redfearn continued his rich vein of form with a quick 35 comprising of one six and five fours.

South Hetton were limited to 72 in reply with Anthony McMahon returning four for three in three overs and Jack Taylor four for nine from his three overs.

William Orton Cup

Semi-Final

Hylton totalled 93 for six but lost by eight wickets to Dawdon for whom Anthony Gale and Andrew Stephenson were both in splendid form with the bat.

Gale led the way with a top scoring 44 and Stephenson ended unbeaten on 34 as Dawdon replied with 95 for two.

When they batted first, Hylton ended just short of three figures with Kibble their top scorer with 38. Karl Scott bowled well for Dawdon and captured three for just six runs and he received excellent support from Neil White whose two wickets cost him just 15 runs.

Glenn Robinson Memorial Trophy

South Hetton had the better of Seaham Park ending 24 runs ahead of their rivals.

Batting first, the visitors realised 115 for three with Davison top scoring with 54. Bradley added 22 before Seaham Park replied with 91 for four which included an unbeaten 29 from Craig Robinson and 27 by Dean Andrews. Davison was also in form with the ball for South Hetton and he claimed two of the four Seaham Park wickets to fall for just 18 runs.