Roseberry Group North East Durham League

East Rainton came out on top but only by a margin of 14 runs but they took 14 points more than Newton Aycliffe from the game.

Batting first, East Rainton made a modest 130 all out with useful contributions from Maskell (28), Gordon Steel (29) and John (surname) (21). Gledhill returned two for 35, G Williams two for 30, John Williams two for five but the most successful bowler in the Aycliffe attack was Davison with four for 33.

When they went into bat, Newton Aycliffe lost both openers without scoring but Bell raised their hope with 30. When another batsmen went down without getting off the mark John Williams again out pressure on East Rainton scoring 35 but following his dismissal wickets fell cheaply and an all out total of only 116 was achieved. John claimed four for 28, Gary Humphries two for 44 and Roy Richardson two for 13 for East Rainton who now lead the table by 13 points.

Washington are third but appear too far behind the leading two sides to have a realistic chance of the title. They had only eight run in hand of Simonside following a high scoring game. Batting first, Washington ended with 170 all out on the board which included 48 by Rayner, 21 from Cuthbertson, 20 by Mitchell and 27 from William Plender. Wilburn captured four for 33, Thompson two for 16 and Haynes two for 36 for Simonside.

When they went into bat Simonside went close to victory before the innings ended on 162 all out. Phinn made 44 and Thompson 42 and although Gaff added 22 Washington edged towards victory. Garrod took three for 32, Wilkie two for 24, Plender two for 40 and Hebron two for 42 for Washington.

Littletown ended on 130 from 34 overs before losing by six wickets to Coxhoe who occupied the wicket for 32 overs.

Steve Vallance was in good form with the bat for Littletown hitting ten fours in 67 when he opened the innings. The nest highest score, however was just 21 by Davies as Mick Hill returned four for 31 in seven overs and Kevin Strange three for 21 from eight overs. Bloomfield gave the pair support in the Coxhoe attack with two for 29.

In reply, Coxhoe lost an early wicket but Strange stood firm for 30 and later Paul Newton made a similar score. Both batsmen found the boundary line on five occasions. Following their dismissals, Bloomfield maintained the momentum and his unbeaten 24 played a part in the Coxhoe victory.

Wearmouth reached 206 for nine before dismissing Hospitals for 174. Bill O'Ware opened with 38 and Peter Stronach made 20 for Wearmouth. Two wickets then went down for the addition of only six runs before Matthew Dench scored 60 before being run out. Pennock contributed 25 and eventually Wearmouth posted a good total even though Shaw took four for 44 in the Hospitals attack.

When they replied, Hospitals too lost an early wicket before Shaw steadied the innings and ended with 77 before being bowled.

Darren Pickering returned three for 46 and Gordon Havelock three for 41 for Wearmouth who were also indebted to Stronach for his two wickets and to Ray Morgan who also picked up a couple of wickets.

Coundon visited Hunwick and it was the home side who came out on top by just one wicket following a high scoring game. Their target was 182 and after Alderson opened with 36, there were useful contributions down the order from J Pratt with 21, C Pratt (29) before Irwin, who went in at number ten, struck a vital undefeated 25 out of a total of 182 for nine.

Murray claimed three for 46, Lee three for 54 and John Askew had two for 27 for Coundon.

When they made first use of the wicket Coundon were indebted to a second wicket partnership between Thompson (31) and Bell (32). Tait added 24 and Lee also made 24 as the useful total of 181 was posted despite Irwin returning four for 37 for Hunwick. C Pratt and J Pratt both took two wickets in the home attack.

Belmont continue to lead Division Two even though they went down by four wickets to second from top Plawsworth who have played one game more than the leaders.

Batting first Belmont made a defendable total of 217 for eight which include 47 by Noble, 53 from Davison and 34 by Robinson. McMahon was the most successful bowler in the Plawsworth with four for 55 and Simpson took three for 33. Replying Plawsworth were indebted to John Prested who was in super form. He led his side to victory making 118 before being caught and when McMahon added 38, Plawsworth won a fine game by four wickets when they responded with w18 for six on the board. Robinson took two wickets at a cost of 16 runs and Welsh had two for 44 for Belmont.

Kelloe are third and they took lost when they entertained East Rainton who had 97 runs in hand. When they made first use of the wicket East Rainton realise 163 for eight which included 36 by Ball, 25 from Colledge and 40 from K Hall before M Hall carried his bat for 29. Pratt bowled well in the Kelloe attack to take three for 18, Turnbull had two for 39 and Allen two for 50.

When they replied Kelloe were all out for just 66 as Ludlow claimed four for 16 and Hall four for ten.

North Bitchburn visited Burnhope and won by 30 runs at the end of a low scoring game. Batting first North Bitchburn totalled only 108 all out in 30 overs as Graham Dunn top scored with 35 with one six and six fours. Alan (??) was in super form for Burnhope taking six for 14 in eight overs but his performance was insufficient to earn victory as Burnhope were all out for 78 in 30 overs. Ian Pennick was his side's match winner with the ball capturing five for 18 in 12 overs, five of which were maidens.

He was assisted in the attack by Allott with two for 18 and by Lee whose two wickets cost him just 25 runs. Runs were always at a premium for Burnhope and their total would have been a great deal less but for a contribution of 25 by Grey, who batted at number nine.

Tantobie were all out for 93 but made visitors Wearmouth fight hard for a two wickets victory. Wearmouth made a reasonable start to their reply with Paul Lewis scoring 26 and Crowe 31. Barrala carried his bat for 28 but when Craig took a hat trick in four for 22, Wearmouth struggled with their ninth pair at the wicket. Greenside returned two for 15 and Lodge two for 20 for Tantobie.

Tantobie, batting first were all out for 93 and the total would have been a great deal less but for 32 by D McGee who went in at number ten. Earlier Smith contributed 20 but the batsmen were always troubled particularly by the bowling of Murphy who took four for 29. Lewis and Boatmaker both struck a couple of wickets.

Whiteleas had 30 runs to spare in their home game with Littletown. Batting first, Whiteleas ended on 177 for nine which included 59 by Wilburn, 27 by Cook and 20 not out from Fraser. Chaplow was in good form with the ball for Littletown, taking two earlier wickets finishing with three for 33 while Nixon ended with four for 47.

In reply, Littletown were all out for 147 which included 24 by opened Nixon and a top scoring 31 from Chaplow. Sowdon, Baxter, Fraser and Cook all took two wickets for Whiteleas.

Bearpark ended with 165 for six on top before restricting Benwell Hill to 132 for six and established a 33 runs victory.

Marshall opened the Bearpark innings with 32 and Kelly, batting at number three added 46 while for Benwell Hill Khanna and McKay both picked up a couple of wickets.

When they went into bat, Benwell Hill opened Barry Pearson scored 23 and although Hamilton carried his bat for 35, the innings was well short of the target as Bell captured three for 26 and Patten two for 47.

Kibblesworth had just three runs to spare following a high scoring game with Washington. The target for the visitors was 192 but they managed only 188 for seven which included 48 by Smith and 47 from Fallon. Burns added a valuable 21 and Guy carried his bat for 29 but following an exciting finale it was Kibblesworth who edged home as Dent captured four for 49 and Wilson two for 55.

When they batted first Kibblesworth ended with 191 for four on top including 38 by Middlemiss, 81 by Sanders and 41 not out from Tiffin.