Washington maintained their position at the top of Division One when they won for the sixth time in seven outings, defeating Newton Aycliffe by 34 runs.

When they batted first, the leaders posted 142 all out which included 33 by Cuthbertson while for Newton Aycliffe, Williams earned three wickets for 30 runs. When the visitors replied they managed just 98 all out as Plender took four for 14 and Thompson three for 15.

Reigning champions East Rainton defeated Medomsley by 113 runs. The visitors, who faced a target of 215, managed just 111 as Gary Humphries captured three for 16 and Ian Kitching three for 24.

When they first use of the wicket, East Rainton were given a good sendoff by opener Neil Matthews with 41 and towards the end Wills made a good undefeated 55 in a total of 214 for six. The six wickets were shared by G Dixon who conceded 27 runs and by M Dixon, who leaked 53 runs.

Coundon were back in the pavilion after just 13.5 overs with just 48 runs on the board at home to Hospitals. Only two players managed double figures as Paul Tansey claimed four for 23 in seven overs, Ian Shaw four for 17 in the nine overs he delivered and Gary Shaw two for five in 17 balls.

Simonside realised the huge total of 274 for nine in their game at Belmont. P Thompson opened with 77 and Parks contributed 52 while for Belmont, Reynolds was the most productive bowlers with three for 22.

When they went into bat the home side conceded two early wickets before Noble scored a good 64 taking the total to 144 all out. Bunker, with three for 12, bowled a good end for Simonside who utilised no fewer than nine bowlers in their attack.

Plawsworth moved into joint second position alongside East Rainton when they played their game with Kelloe on Sunday. Stephen Peel took four for six, John Gott had three for 12 and John Surtees three for 19 when Kelloe were dismissed for just 83. Plawsworth though lost six wickets reaching the modest target, three of them to Pratt at a cost of just ten runs but an unbeaten 46 by Whitfield earned them their fifth win in seven outings.

In Division Two, there was a double programme. Washington still lead the table despite losing on Sunday to Tantobie but in their first game they had 41 runs to spare winning at East Rainton. McIlvaney was run out after making 42 but the good work was continued by Fallon with 77 as Washington posted 188 all out.

Replying East Rainton made a poor start before Noble scored 42 and eventually a total of 147 was reached. Brown (3-40) and Kirkley (3-36) were among the wickets for Washington.

Bearpark defeated Burnhope by eight wickets. Batting first, the visitors innings lasted just 21.1 overs as a total of just 73 was realised. Rob Willis returned the excellent figures of four for 24 in ten overs and Malcolm Tait had five for 41 from the 10.1 overs he bowled.

Responding, Bear Park were at the wicket for four balls longer than Burnhope had taken but they eased their way to an eight wickets win as Paul Marshall contributed 22 and Alan Kelly an unbeaten 26 with three boundaries.

After making 138 for six, Littletown lost by two wickets to Tantobie. Davis made a top scoring 36 but the biggest contribution to the Littletown total was extras on 37. Bellamy took three for 23 for Tantobie who in reply, made their way to a match-winning 139 for eight which included 30 by Lodge. Suleman was the most successful bowler for Littletown with three for 34 while John Ricketts and Nelson captured two apiece.

Coxhoe ended with the formidable total of 109 for four mainly as a result of openers Adsett (96) and William with 69. Howe took three of the four wickets to fall for just 30 runs and then opened Newton Aycliffe reply scoring 30 as did Simpson who finished unbeaten in a total of 141. Carr, with four for 40, was in good form with the ball for Coxhoe.

Medomsley reached 223 for three before restricting Wearmouth to 133 all out. Emerson batted throughout the Medomsley innings for an undefeated 107 and Charlton contributed 40 to their second wicket partnership. Hall (43no) then joined Emerson in an unbroken stand for the fourth wicket.

North Bitchburn overtook the Plawsworth total of 164 for nine losing just six wickets. Their match-winner was Gordon Dunn who ended undefeated on 104 while Breeze contributed 37. Three of the four wickets were claimed by Simpson at a cost of 43 runs.

Batting first, Plawsworth ended with 164 for nine on the board with Robinson their top scorer with 38 while Michael Browbank added 29.

In Sunday's programme, Plawsworth defeated Medomsley by eight wickets. Karl Pring returned four for 26 and Simpson three for 27 restricting Medomsley to 94 which included 35 by Kirkup. John Preston then added 35 to the Plawsworth reply of 95 for two.

Burnhope defeated Coxhoe without conceding a wicket.

Newton Aycliffe were all out for just 65 and lost by ten wickets to North Bitchburn for whom Lee took five for 12 and Pennick three for 22. When they went into bat, North Bitchburn were again indebted to Dunn who following his unbeaten entry on Saturday ended undefeated again with 39 to his credit.

Carr (57) and Bewick (43) top performed in the Washington total of 165 for six which proved insufficient as Tantobie responded with 169 for seven of which Lodge top scored with 54. Brown and Fallon both took three wickets for Washington but their efforts proved in vane.