SHOTLEY BRIDGE gave the NTSL a massive shot in the arm when they hammered previously invincible Swalwell by 150 runs.

The league race had been dying on its feet as Swalwell ruthlessly squeezed the life out of their rivals to set up a seventh consecutive title, but they’ll have to wait a little longer before breaking out the bubbly after being battered by the Bridge.

An opening stand of 51 by Dan Rees (22) and Phil Brown (34) gave a small hint of the riches to follow, but it was Graeme Brinton who really caught the eye in a 96-ball innings of 83 which included nine fours and two sixes.

With decent contributions down the order, Bridge posted 244-9.

It was then over to dynamic duo Stuart Graham and Graham Angus, who blasted their way through the powerful Swalwell batting line-up in just 25.5 overs.

The champions elect staggered from 16-3 to 76-9 and finally 94 all out as Graham (5- 41) and Angus (5-38) shared the limelight.

Ponteland held on to second spot, but only just as Leadgate gave them a scare after bowling them out for a meagre 115.

Aussie Luke Fitzner rocked Ponteland with a spell of 5- 49, but Leadgate couldn’t squeeze past that modest effort despite 40 from David Richardson. John Gardner (4- 35) and Ed Common (3-42) did the late business as the visitors fell eight runs short.

Annfield Plain moved up to third as they toppled Burnopfield by six wickets after bowling them out for 60.

Melvyn Betts (6-14) and Michael Allen (4-44) ensured Annfield were anything but plain, and with a game in hand on Ponteland Neil Killeen’s men look well placed to take the runners-up honour.

Consett have given themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop after defeating relegation rivals Percy Main by 65 runs. David Anderson was the hero with ten fours and two sixes in a superb 115 not out scored from 124 balls. Set a target of 241-4, Main finished well back despite a 65-ball unbeaten 66 from Barry Stewart.

While Consett can still dream of escape, Lintz’s 16th defeat in 16 matches came to the tune of 158 runs against Tynedale.

Johnny Meadows smashed the home attack for 152 runs, and with Tom Cant adding an unbeaten half-century, the Hexham outfit closed on an eye-watering 310-4 before bowling their hosts out for 152.

Lintz are now 68 points away from safety, with just 100 left to play for.