Dukes ECB NEPL, Readers Durham CL and Go North East NTSL

IT was all change at the top of the NEPL Premier Division as the leaders at the start of the day, South North, came out on the wrong side of a draw at Hetton Lyons, their stumble allowing a vibrant Tynemouth to take over as pacesetters with an outstanding display at Ropery Lane.

Lyons bared their teeth from the start. Pakistani ‘pro’ Faiz Fazal was once again in imperious form, and with Jonny Malkin keeping him splendid company in a rousing opening stand of 198 the Bulls were cornered. Fazal was first to go having made 108 from 163 balls, Malkin joining him soon afterwards for 82, but their job had been done and despite the champions fighting their way back to some extent the home team still finished with an impressive 288-6 in 65 overs.

With just 55 overs to bat South North were never up with the required rate despite half centuries from Simon Birtwisle and Marcus North, Ben Whitehead the main thorn in their side as he bagged 4-52 in 20 overs. The Bulls finished a timid 188-6, exactly 100 runs shy of their hosts.

One of Tynemouth’s finest hours came at the Lane as they became the new leaders. After bowling the Cestrians out for 214, they rattled off the target with eight wickets and more than six overs to spare. A five wicket burst from Andrew Smith set up the victory chance, and then a 155-run partnership between Nick Armstrong (92 not out) and Stu Poynter (90 from 99 balls) sealed the deal. Tynemouth went two points clear as a result.

Stockton gained their expected win up in Gateshead, but they needed a rescue act after slumping to 46-6 in pursuit of a modest Fell target of 125. Mitch Gardner and Ryan Buckley shared eight wickets as the Teessiders took control, but it needed youngster Matty Gill, with an unbeaten 41, to save their blushes as they edged home with just three wickets to spare.

Willington are the new leaders of the First Division. They burst to the top with an emphatic 155-run win at Seaham Harbour where half centuries from skipper James Stock and Arron Proud helped secure a declaration after 50 overs on 257-5. Harbour then sank without trace, shot out inside 28 overs for just 102 as Will Phillips (4-16) led the onslaught.

Burnopfield continue to dominate in the Durham Cricket League’s top division, a 62-run victory at Bill Quay sending them a handsome 28 points clear of the chasing pack despite being just three games into the campaign.

Easington remain in second spot, but after starting the day just six points behind the leaders they lost significant ground after suffering a three wicket defeat at Crook where Aussie import Tearon Gleeson (96 not out) provided the finishing touches to the opening work done for Town by his mentor, Steve Chapman (42), and Andrew Pratt (58). Earlier an unbeaten 126 from Tariq Aziz looked to have put Easington (241-6) out of sight.

There was no change at the top of the NTSL as the three leading teams, Ashington, Lanchester and Shotley Bridge all won well, but Bridge once again setting the batting pulses racing as they blitzed hapless hosts Tynedale by 255 runs.

Just one week after setting a new League total record of 438, they racked up a slightly more modest 377-3 on this occasion, although was still higher than the previous club record of 356 which has now been overtaken twice in eight days. Paul Greenwell, with 17 fours and 13 sixes, hit his personal best of 189 not out in leading the champions charge.