Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Tynedale threw the race for the championship wide open when they inflicted a first defeat of the season on Lanchester, who conceded pole position to Newcastle City.

The visitors posted a useful near-200 total before Tynedale's five-man attack dismissed the home side for only 120 to keep alive aspirations that they might still overtake the two leading sides.

When Lanchester replied, Michael Armstrong was the star with four wickets for just 38 runs but Richard Darling and Scott Kay also played a part in a crucial win.

Andy Biggs and Banda both claimed three wickets for Lanchester but Tynedale still ended on 199-7 with scores of 32 from Paul Pickworth and 46 not out by David Holt, batting down the order.

Newcastle City moved to the top with a five-wickets win over Ryton. Masood Mirza took 3-28 and Imran Shah captured five wickets for just 18 runs to reduce Ryton to only 115.

City though conceded five wickets and were indebted to Pargetar for his valuable contribution of 43. Pater Bates claimed four of the five wickets for only 34 runs.

Australian paceman Gavin Swan and Lee Shaw bowled Sacriston into a winning position at Lintz, whose 50 overs produced only 118-8.

The pair shared six wickets at economical cost after Stephen Ball (35), David Metcalfe with 49 and Ian Pattison (33) assisted in a total of 184 all out.

Ashington also won easily when they hosted Shotley Bridge. Paul Rutherford captured five wickets for a mere 12 runs in 11.5 overs and James Harmison returned 3-27 as the Bridge were back in the pavilion for 104 after 44.5 overs.

Greg Williams then led Ashington's reply, ending unbeaten on 46 with one six and eight boundaries.

Leadgate's new professional Umar starred in his team's eight wickets win over Swalwell. Faced with a target of 176, the home side were given the perfect start by Umar, who hit 77, and John Fletcher (63).

Stephen Humble and Paul Dumigham both made half-centuries in the Swalwell innings but Stuart Graham (4-44) and Lee Innes with 3-47 restricted the scoring.

Bruce Armstrong led Annfield Plain to a match-winning 216-8 at home to Backworth when he opened the innings with 88. Phil Donnelly added 31 and the total proved too great for the visitors.

Feroz and Tim Brown both made 40 in a promising opening stand, but following their dismissals wickets fell cheaply to Gary Steadman, Khan and Ian Clough, leaving the Plain with 64 runs to spare.

In Division A2, Benwell and Walbottle made the highest score recorded on the ground they moved to a few years ago when they posted 300-8 against leaders Whickham.

Morne Van Vuuren top scored with 93 from 70 deliveries and Graeme Angus added a half-century before the pair took over with the ball, sharing seven wickets as Whickham crashed to only 110 all out.

A century by Sacristani led promotion contenders Morpeth to a 57 runs win at Burnopfield but Consett, also in the running, went down by 64 runs to Ponteland.