LINTZ strengthened their position at the top of the table when they easily saw off the challenge from neighbours Burnopfield.

After Gary Christie had taken a couple of early wickets, Graham Clennell and Michael Edmunds shared eight wickets as the home side struggled to 120 all out. Clennell captured five wickets for 38 and spinner Edmunds, the League's leading wicket-taker, added another three to his total at a cost of 35 runs.

Skipper Gordon Baker led the Lintz reply, opening the innings and making the game's top score of 33. Stuart Clennell and Christie both made 21 and Lintz quickly celebrated another win.

Lanchester are second and the combination of Kane Halliday and Bilal Rana proved too much for bottom-placed Consett who in 44 overs made just 96 which included 40 by Andrew Waters, who hit six boundaries.

Halliday returned 6-47 and Rana 4-36, the pair each bowling unchanged for 22 overs. Lanchester's reply was measured but they safely reached their modest target in 38 overs as debutant Brian Potts struck seven boundaries in an unbeaten 37.

Annfield Plain slipped up in their challenge and Swalwell's chances were enhanced when the visitors met their target of 186 with seven wickets in hand. Jason Dumighan (54) and Malcolm Clarke (75no) produced a match-winning partnership for the third wicket.

The Newsteads were to the fore in the Annfield Plain innings. John scored 35, David 34 and Stephen 30 not out which, added to the 41 from Aldo Van den Berg, resulted in the Plain posting 185 all out.

Ashington had 31 runs to spare in their home game with Sacriston. The second-wicket stand of 128 between captain for the day Simon Prudhoe, whose 56 included seven boundaries and Neil Wood, who had 11 fours in 92, led the Collierymen to 209-4.

Paul Burn, who went in at number three, carried his bat for 100, stroking one six and nine boundaries but despite figuring in a ninth-wicket partnership of 53 with Andrew Dixon, Sacriston's innings produced only 178-8.

Neil Clark, David Pesarra and Paul Pickworth all contributed half centuries to Tynedale's 261-5. Although David Jackson followd suit, Shotley Bridge were pegged to 172-9 as Ian Engelbrecht claimed 4-61.

The Benwell and Walbottle batsmen were also in top form at home to Ryton. Waz Aslam led the way with 89 and Cook added 57 to the home side's total of 230-8. Ryton's mini revival came to an end when they were all out for 193 as Naz Rashid returned 5-63 and Graeme Angus 4-72.

Leadgate are running away with the second division and are firm favourites to clinch promotion in their first season in the league. They hit Kirkley with a ten-wicket defeat when Stuart Graham claimed 5-27. The target of 101 was then meat and drink.