Leaders romp to win

The visitors managed only 83 all out in 26 overs which included 34 from Steve Brass with five boundaries. Matthew Smith was in excellent form for Broughton and Kirby claiming five wickets for just ten runs in six overs.

In reply, the leaders romped to victory in 13 overs losing just one wicket. Mark Lewis ended undefeated on 61 hitting one six and 11 boundaries.

Kirby Sigston are second but they had just one wicket to spare in a high scoring game with Maltby.

Batting first, Maltby, who now share second position with Kirby Sigston, realised the formidable total of 221 for four. Close ended with 95 not our and Francis contributed 72.

When they went to the wicket Kirby Sigston were indebted to a second wicket stand between Thompson (54) and Cowton, who was unbeaten on 90 in a total of 222 for nine. Close followed up his good performance with the bat taking five wickets for 47 runs.

Crathorne had 46 runs to spare over Kildale after posting 180 for seven which included 54 from Marshall and 49 by Leng.

Dan Doughty top scored with 53 but Kildale made only 134 for nine as Clemmit took three for 24 and Still four for 17.

When Smith and Iveson shared eight wickets at minimal cost East Harlsey were back from the pavilion for just 62 at home to Stafford Place who won with six wickets in tact. Metcalfe ended undefeated on 40.

In Division Two Skelton Castle are comfortably ahead and they had seven wickets remaining at Maltby B. Gratton had the excellent figures of six for 25 when Maltby managed only 102 for eight including 32 by Mallon. Three players then made at least 20 in the Skelton Castle reply of 106 for three. All three wickets fell to Stringer for 36 runs.

Thimbleby are second and they had 28 runs to spare at Ingleby Greenhow. Arthur Fawcett took three wickets but the visitors still managed 173 for seven, which included 38 from Stenson and 39 by Cowton.

Although David Fawcett scored 33, Ingleby Greenhow were all out for 145 with Thompson and Simpson sharing seven wickets.

Swainby were sent back for just 58 at Hutton Rudby for whom Jones took four for 46 and Read three for nine. No fewer than 36 of the Swainby total came from Shinwell.

Batting first, Hutton Rudby ended on 234 for seven. Herford opened with 60 and Gilchrist added 66.

Moorsholm crashed to 41 all out at home to Chopgate for whom M Vout returned six for 17 and Stockton three for three. Chopgate lost just one wicket reaching the low target.

Cleveland League

LOFTUS A strengthened their position at the top of Division One with a seven wickets victory at Norton who were back to the pavilion for 144, which included 43 by Javed and 34 from Hill.

Jackson was in good form with the ball for Loftus A taking five wickets for 45 runs and when they replied, the leaders were indebted to a second wicket partnership between Smithies (42) and Morrison, who finished unbeaten on 72.

The Merlin remain second top despite losing by six wickets at Ormesby Hall. Tweedy was in excellent form scoring an undefeated 118 in the Merlin total of 194 for eight but when Qayyum and Leach both made half centuries and Young 48 Ormesby Hall won with six wickets in tact.

Burton returned six for 64 when Hartlepool Camerons were restricted to 122 for nine by Staithes, who were then all out for just 77. Wakefield and Wallis shared seven wickets for Pools.

New Marske managed only 102 all out with Pearson and Smithies both taking three wickets for Loftus B who won losing five wickets.

Smiths Dock posted just 77 in 22.2 overs at Dormans where they went down by six wickets. Craig Dale took four for 42 in 14 overs and Bob Hadfield three for 31 from the 14.2 overs he delivered in the Dormans attack.

In Division Two, Dormanstown played twice at the weekend and convincingly won both matches by ten wicket margins.

On Saturday, they sent Cowpen Bewley back to the pavilion for only 45 as Anthony Dowson returned seven for 20. Dormanstown won without conceding a wicket in just ten overs as Erith (30no) and Johnson put on 52 for the unbroken opening stand.

On Sunday Dormanstown again won by ten wickets when they dismissed Smiths Dock for just 60.

Dowson was again in good form with the ball claiming five wickets for 20 runs. Jason Boardman then struck four sixes and as many boundaries in an unbeaten 50 leading Dormanstown to an emphatic result.

Paragonians are second despite losing by nine wickets to Boosbeck. Daynes returned six for 40 for Boosbeck who won with a first wicket stand between Richardson (41) and Ward (59 no).

Smiths Dock experienced a difficult weekend. On Saturday they were all out for 45 at the hands of Brotton for whom Yeoman and Coates both took four wickets. Brotton won by nine wickets. On Sunday, Smiths Dock managed just 60 in their defeat at Dormanstown.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

EAST Rainton who have lost just once all season are in a strong position to retain the Division One championship.

They recorded their 13th win of the season in a low scoring game at Kelloe who were all out for just 74 with College taking four for 31.

East Rainton though conceded five wickets before reaching the target.

Wearmouth are second and they have eight wickets in hand at Newton Aycliffe despite the home side scoring 199 for seven. Bell, Palmer and Williams all made at least 30.

Phil O'Ware batted throughout for Wearmouth finishing with an unbeaten 74 and Steve Bilton added 80 not out as the visitors replied with 200 for two.

At the bottom, Medomsley had the better of Littletown by eight wickets. The visitors managed only 105 in 37.4 overs before Mark Dixon hit six boundaries in an unbeaten 33 and Mark Charlton four sixes and five fours ending unbeaten on 55.

Whiteleas were sent back for just 83 at Coundon, who lost just one wicket as Tait finished undefeated on 51. Owen Peterson top scored with 33 for Whiteleas and in the home attack Hardy and John Askew both took three wickets.

Hunwick romped to 285 all out at home to Burnhope. Fleming was in magnificent form scoring 138 and when they went to the wicket Burnhope responded with 204 which included 63 by Steward.

Newton Hall had 23 runs in hand of visitors Simonside. John Prested ended unbeaten on 57 in the Hall total of 195 for eight. M Thompson opened with 35 and P Thompson contributed an unbeaten 60 but Simonside were only 172 for four at stumps.

Tantobie lead Division Two by six points from North Bitchburn.

Despite making only 133 which included 30 by Gibson and 33 from Craig, Tantobie still defeated Bearpark by 18 runs. The visitors were sent back for 115 with Brown taking four for 51. Wilson was the most productive Bearpark bowler with four for 35.

North Bitchburn remain second and they sent Newton Hall back for just 67 in 33 overs as Graeme Dalton returned three for 17 from seven overs. Although North Bitchburn lost three wickets they were never in danger recording their ninth of the season.

Kibblesworth made a useful 184 all out with an unbeaten 49 from Fenwick and 46 by Ward but the total proved insufficient as East Rainton won by five wickets.

Isley batted throughout for an undefeated 74 and Archbald contributed 44.

Wearmouth went down by 22 runs to Coxhoe who batted first and ended on 157 all out which included 57 by Appleby. Murphy Junior had four wickets and Bowmaker three for Wearmouth who in reply managed only 133 as Strange returned six for 26.

Pat Welsh hit a late unbeaten 41 in the Belmont total of 189 for nine at home to Hunwick who were all out for 101. R Welsh took four wickets for 32 runs and noble three for 23.