Ryton did their survival hopes the power of good as they toppled Burnopfield by three wickets, but defeat left the visitors ambitions of finishing second in the table in limbo as Annfield Plain chased down a target of 200 at Tynedale to take over as favourites for the runners-up mantle.

David Bailey and Saleem Akhtar shared six wickets as Burnopfield were bowled out for 155 despite a feisty late 43 from Adam Tinnion, and then Roald Badenhorst piloted the home team to success as he carried his bat through the run chase for an unbeaten 60.

Victory took Ryton clear of the drop zone, but defeat left Burnopfield's second place under threat as Annfield Plain moved to within four points with a game in hand.

Plain's success was inspired by Neil Killeen, the former Durham man picking up 4-38 as Tynedale were bowled out for 199, and then he hit an unbeaten 68 to steer his side to success after the loss of early wickets had set nerves jangling.

Lanchester overcame the problem of their bowling shortages by scoring plenty of runs, their 50-over total of 263-5 proving 30 too many for Leadgate. Paul Underwood was in sublime form, his unbeaten 124 the bedrock of Lanchester's impressive total, although 46 apiece from Michael Lukic and Kevin Dixon embellished his efforts, and then Dixon (4-29) rounded off a fine personal day as Leadgate ended on 233-9.

Consett put up a decent fight against Swalwell before losing by 49 runs, the rampant run makers held to 242-8 in 50 overs with Chris Hewison making 57 of those before Guy Saxton and Nicky Phillips shared eight wickets to thwart the home team who had John Chapman (50) in form.

Lintz look doomed after a 13th consecutive defeat. This time they were undone by a superb individual performance by Graham Brinton who, not content with cracking 15 fours and six sixes in a bruising 83-ball 123 then rubbed salt in the relegation wounds by claiming six for 22 as the hapless visitors went down by 167 runs at Shotley Bridge.

Ponteland opener Dan Wright (69), aided by number nine bat Tom Common (47 not out), enabled their side to set Percy Main a challenging target of 210-8, and the Main men fell 73 runs short as Mark Turnbull became chief screw tightener with 4-24 to leave the home side nervously eyeing the drop zone.

In Division A2 Ashington took a massive step towards promotion when they toppled leaders Backworth by 38 runs to move to within two points of them, with a game in hand.