Langbaurgh League

Maltby had a good performance beating Thimbleby by eight wickets when they faced a target of 114. Martin Barber, with four boundaries in 43 and Andy Marrow whose 44 not out included six fours, shared a third wicket partnership of 83 as Maltby won in 32 overs for the loss of two wickets.

When Thimbleby batted first they were pegged to 113 for nine which included 43 not out by Andrew Barningham who struck two boundaries. John Forth bowled well in the Maltby attack and in six overs claimed five wickets for 16 runs while Chris Francis the wicket keeper held four catches.

Kirby Sigston had the better of Swainby by nine wickets when Thompson opened by making 34 runs, Lowther finished unbeaten on 39 after Neil Kendrew had returned eight for 34 to restrict Swainby to 113 of which opener Kitching contributed 38.

Great Smeaton reached 144 for four with most runs coming from Hutchinson (62) and Barber (37no).

The total proved insufficient and Stafford Place won by nine wickets when opener Lawrence finished undefeated on 52, Metcalfe made 63 and Simpson 38 not out.

Hutton Rudby ended with 151 for six when they entertain Ingleby Greenhow for whom Michael Fawcett captured three for 44 and Sunley three for 50. Most of Hutton Rudby's runs came from openers Bailey (35) and Rowe (49).

Replying Ingleby Greenhow were all out for 63 as Reed captured for four for 21 and Coombes took three for ten.

Kildale just edged Chopgate by three runs following a high scoring fixture. Pearson opened Kildale's innings with 60 and Dan Doughty added 37 to a total of 160 for six with four wickets falling to Cook for 40 runs.

Chopgate were always in with a chance but fell short as their innings closed on 157 for which Lane made 68 and Stockton 50.

Dan Doughty picked up three for 52 and Lee Sonley had five for 31 for Kildale.

NatWest Darlington and District League

Middleton St George enjoy an eight points lead over Weardale in Division A and they enhanced their chances of carrying off the championship when they defeated third placed Aldbrough St John by 99 runs.

Batting first Middleton St George made a poor start when three of their first four batsmen contributed just one run between them but P Rogers (37), Howe (36) and S Rogers retrieved the position and a total of 203 for seven was achieved.

Aldbrough St John never really got top grips with their big task and despite a half century by Wilson they finished 104 all out with McKenna taking four for 46 and Gregg five for 27.

Weardale won by 54 runs when they visited Rockcliffe Park. The visitors ended with 157 for eight which included 51 by McDonald and 69 from Hutchinson while for Rockcliffe Park Howell captured four for 53 runs.

Responding, the home side were back in the pavilion with only 103 on the board as Wearmouth produced an excellent bowling performance for Weardale claiming seven for 33.

Barton were all out for 97 in 32 overs when they visited Barningham. John Murray scored five fours in 29 but the Barton batsmen always struggled against the bowling of Scott Walker, with four for 60 and 16-year-old Stuart McLellan, who in six overs returned four for seven.

Barningham's hopes of securing victory were quickly dashed however, and they were sent back in 34 overs for just 68 runs. Neil Kearney returned four for 33 from 17 overs and Ray Heddon had four for 14 in his ten overs, half of which were maidens.

Colburn were all out for just 51 against Heighington who batting first ended on 157 for eight which included 30 by opening batsman Smith and 45 from Newton.

After making 157 for four, Raby Castle dismissed Gilling West for only 58 to win by 99 runs. Jones produced a good performance in the Raby Castle attack, ending with figures of five for 21 and in the Raby Castle innings openers Berry and Dent both scored 30 before West carried his bat for 35.

Ingleton lead Division B but by just one point from Spennymoor. Ingleton had only 28 runs to spare at Dales after posting 168 for eight which included 37 by Michael Batey and 42 by Gamack. Lofthouse captured four for 63 for Dales who responding were restricted to 140 for eight as Gamack took four for 56 and Nattrass returned three for 38.

Spennymoor maintained their promotion challenge with an eight wickets victory at home to Heighington who were all out for 132 despite the efforts of Miller (37) and Fawcett (33).

Rowell claimed five for 61 and Grainger three for 26 for Spennymoor who won losing just two wickets when Nicholson opened the innings to score 46 before Ball carried his bat for 54.

Trimdon CCA had the better of Middleton in Teesdale, winning by six wickets. The home side were all out for 89 in 26.1 overs and the modest total included 48 by Neil Watson, who hit one six and seven boundaries.

Dale Coughrey returned four for six runs and Peacock had three for 42 for Trimdon CCA who went on to win by six wickets when Neil Horner contributed 31 with one six and four fours.

Lands posted 164 for eight and then sent Cliffe crashing to 33 all out as Davey returned five for 11 and Lamb three for 13.

Lamb also top scored in the Lands innings with 44 runs and Elstob contributed 34 while for Cliffe Curry claimed six of the eight wickets to fall for just 31 runs.

Houghton made a respectable 158 for eight including 49 by Edwards and 38 from McCarthy but the total proved insufficient as Cockerton went on to win by four wickets, mainly through the efforts of Farrow, who remained undefeated on 77.

Brompton on Swale managed 200 for the loss of just five wickets defeating King James by 95 runs. Moston (69), Coultish (78) and Atkinson (34no) were all in good scoring form for Brompton on Swale but when King James responded they were restricted to 105 for six.

In Division C, East Cowton ended 27 runs in front of Rockcliffe Park whose 109 all out included 63 by Fiddell. Whitfield, with six for 44 and Raw, whose three wickets cost 62 runs, were both in good form with the ball for East Cowton who batting first ended on 136 for six which included an undefeated 49 by Clark.

Middleton St George had the better of Aldbrough St John after reaching 137 for five thanks to Howe with 44 and Ayub who finished 65 not out. Aldbrough could only managed 86 for six in reply as Binks took four for 28.

Middleton Tyas bowled out Lands for just 49 when Rummell, Fell and Baxter all took three wickets. Earlier, Middleton Tyas finished with 142 with Rummel top score with 45. Saunders returned five for 33 and Tyrie three for 21 in the Lands attack.

In Division D Cliffe defeated Trimdon CCA by six wickets when Buckman captured seven wickets for 50 runs as Trimdon were all out 70.

Raby Castle had the edge over Haughton. Caygill had five for 31 when Haughton were pegged to 83 for eight after Raby Castle had made 117 for seven which included 39 by Jackson. Norman Sturman had four for 18 in the Haughton attack.

Eyreholm defeated Witton le Wear by seven wickets when Warne finished with 45 not out. Storey top scored with an undefeated 37 in Witton le Wear's total of 92 and for Eryholme Craggs had the splendid five for 31.

l The winners of last week's competition prize which was an autographed Allan Donald photograph are; Carl Mansfield, Darlington, Scott Rankin, Berwick, Norman Heathwaite, Ferryhill, Paul Mulrooney, Darlington, Ben Collinson, Darlington, Keith Walker, Barnard Castle, Joanne Whitfield, Darlington, Gary Bolton, Durham,Daniel Wilson, Ripon and Chris Taylor, Sedgefield.