East Rainton strengthened their grip on the leadership when they were able to stage their game with Medomsley which they won by six wickets.

Roy Richardson sent down 15 overs in the East Rainton attack claiming three for just 28 runs and Ian Kitching had four for eight from his 4.2 overs as Medomsley were restricted to 68 all out from 31 .2 overs.

Even though they faced a modest target it took East Rainton 27.5 overs and they lost four wickets before they clinched a crucial victory. Bobby Orton was the bowler who caused them most problems an in 13.5 overs, five of which were maidens, he captured three for four wickets to fall for just 35 runs. Alan Maskell and Derek Aylesbury were together at the end, the pair contributing 39 of the 64 runs scored by East Rainton.

Washington hosted Sunderland Hospitals and won by 40 runs when Paul Hebron was in magnificent form with the ball. Hospitals laboured through 40.1 overs scoring just 75 which included a top scoring 21 by Glen Shaw but it was Hebron who took the eye. He bowled 20 overs and captured eight wickets for just 34 runs.

Batting first, Washington ended on 115 for nine as Shaw returned three for 44 from 18 overs and John Surtees took three for 13 from the four overs he bowled. Gordon Clark, who opened the innings, top scored with 21 for Washington whose innings ended on 115 for nine from 45 overs.

Wearmouth had 36 runs in hand of Coxhoe. Colin Davison made 37 before being run out and Simon Pennock added 27 to the Wearmouth total of 114. Adsett was in sparking form with the ball for Coxhoe and his five wickets were taken at a cost of just 19 runs.

When they replied Coxhoe managed just 78 as Dillon captured five for 36 runs and Peter Stronach had three for 24.

The other four scheduled games at North Bitchburn, Littletown, Belford House and Benwell Hill were all called off because grounds were unfit.

There were even fewer games in Division Two and four failed to start. Tantobie managed to make their ground playable for the visit of Kelloe and won with six wickets in tact. Batting first, Kelloe were all out for just 84 in 29.2 overs as David Brown captured four for 29 in ten overs and Martin Elliott had three for 28 from the 14.2 overs he sent down.

When they replied, Tantobie were indebted to opener Peter Robson who batted throughout the innings for an undefeated 29 which included four boundaries. The innings lasted 28.4 overs and four wickets were conceded to the Kelloe attack, two of them to Neil Dews for 21 runs in 12 overs including five maidens.

Burnhope were all out for just 94 but made North Bitchburn fight all the way before losing by two wickets.

Allen top scored with 31 in the Burnhope innings when Tennick took the eye with his magnificent performance in claiming eight for just 44 runs. The other two wickets were accredited to Lee at a cost of 49 runs.

When they replied, North Bitchburn lost a couple of early wickets before Lee raised their hopes scoring 23 batting at number three and eventually a victory was achieved with two wickets in tact. Laws, with three for 12 top performed in the Burnhope attack while Morrison and Trow both took a couple of wickets.