North-East Premier League

NEWCASTLE went back to the top with an excellent six-wicket win at Stockton. Ryan Buckley top scored with 70 not out off 77 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes, to set a winning total of 206. In reply, the visitors set about their target and reached it in the 37th over with Nick Hobson 33, Ben Stokes with 63, including 10 fours on his recovery road to fitness and then an 86 run partnership developed between Jacques De Toit 49 not out and James Carding 40 not out to ensure the win.

Durham Academy kept up their recent good form with a 38 run win against Eppleton. Batting first they made 211-7 declared, with Liam Trevaskis scoring 66, Ross Greenwell 32 and Scott Steel with 53. Eppleton’s Marcus Brown with 38 and Craig Scurr with 39 showed some resistance, but Asher Hart with a devastating spell of 4-28 ensured an impressive win.

DCL

Dawdon in third before play, could not contain the leagues runaway leaders Burnopfield, at home. They made just 85, with Neil Killeen taking 3-12 and his seasons tally to 33 wickets. James Radcliffe hit 52 not out and is now just 6 runs short of 300, for the season.

Thanks to Lal Kumar with 47, including 4 fours and 2 sixes off just 55 balls, gave Horden their survival hopes a massive boost with a six wicket win over Easington. Earlier Ryan Higgins and Robert Atherton dug in with 32 runs each for the visitors, but a meagre total of 108 was not going to be enough. Horden’s Lewis Broom returned 3-16 off just 7 overs, including two maidens.

NTSL

Ashington won their big test away at second placed Lanchester, by racking up a massive 271-5 with the two Ben’s, O’Brien (with a brilliant 103) and Harmison (71) turning the screw. Early wickets put paid to Lanchester’s thoughts of making the runs, but Mark Small made an excellent 68.

At the bottom, Annfield Plain and Leadgate both lost and Benwell & Walbottle and Newcastle City were rained off in their relegation battle.