Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League

DARLINGTON gave themselves a bit of breathing space at the bottom, as they had an unusual tie at Feethams. They are now 22 points above the relegation trapdoor and were asked to bat first. Opener James Sutton made 30, while Paul Freary (44) and Callum Lethbridge (48no), put on 88 runs in a fifth wicket partnership, to help them up to 187-6.

Synners in reply, lost early wickets, but then Tayyab Tahir scored a brilliant century (114), from 99 balls, which included five fours and six sixes. There was then a nervy end to the game, but they eventually drew level on 187-8.

Richmondshire remain second in the league, but are now eight points behind leaders Marton. The Dalesmen travelled to Park Drive, where Hartlepool made just 109 all out, thanks to Craig Swainston who claimed an excellent took 5-29, while Tyler Temple made 47, while Steven Reeves chipped in with 3-9.

Gary Pratt was not hanging around, as he smashed 70 not out, from just 38 balls, which included 13 fours, in a final total of 110-1, to claim an easy nine-wicket victory.

Current champions Barnard Castle dropped to fourth, as they were beaten at home by Great Ayton. Barney made just 84 runs, as paceman Joe Marsay claimed 4-41, including Hashan Dumindu first ball, and Ishwar Pandey 4-34, both blew the batting away in just 25.1 overs. Ayton’s Chris Batchelor then made 36 in reply, while Pandey added 39 with the bat, to complete an easy win for the visitors and claim the points, finishing on 87-3.

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

SACRISTON beat the champions and league leaders South North by 111 runs, at Front Street. They recovered from a poor start at 78-5, to total 188 all out, thanks to 39 runs from Daniel Anderson and 51 from Melvyn Betts, while Lee Crozier claimed 4-38 with the ball.

However, Melvyn Betts with an excellent 4-12, had the visitors in all kinds of trouble at 17-5. Will Gidman then claimed 3-25, to record an excellent win for the home side.

Burnmoor had to settle for a winning draw at Benwell Hill, in a close game. They batted first and totalled 226-8 declared, as Ryan Pringle made 80 from 96 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes, alongside Ross Hodgson who made 33, while Callum Harding and Max Williamson claimed three wickets apiece.

The Hill started poorly, as Sami Khan took 5-24 and at 95-8 the game looked over. However, an unbroken eighth wicket partnership of 113 runs between Luke Doneathy (96no) and Max Williamson (39no), saved the day and they ended up on 208-8.

Chester-Le-Street welcomed Tynemouth and the visitors decided to bat first after winning the toss. They made 237 all out, with Michael Jones scoring 32, Matthew Brown 49 and Ian Mansfield blasted 67 from 75 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

The Cestrians batted very well, as Jacob McCann made a superb century, scoring 120 from 149 balls, which included 12 fours and four sixes. He added 165 runs in an opening partnership with George Harrison who scored 66 and they eventually finished on 238-5, to claim an excellent victory.

Eppleton welcomed Burnopfield to Church Road and the visitors made 195 all out, thanks to 30 runs from Andrew Ahmed, alongside seven of his teammates who made double figures. Dean Musther with 4-47 and Connor Whitelock 3-48 were the bowling stars.

In reply, the home side made just 121 all out, as Scott Steel took an excellent 5-28, while Stephen Humble and Owen Shield each took two wickets, with Luke Henderson top scoring on 20.

Hetton Lyons travelled to Felling and took first knock after winning the toss. Opener Karl Turner smashed 11 fours in his score of 72, but Dale Shaw put the brakes on with 3-37, alongside an excellent return of 6-25 from Nihal Shilar, ripping out the middle order and tail of the Lyons, as they finished on 123 all out.

The home side also struggled with the bat, as they slumped to 47-4, but they kept their nerve and a fine unbeaten innings of 44 from Shilar and a valuable 20 not out from Graham Wright, got them over the line finishing on 127-5, as they put on 45 runs for the sixth wicket.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League

Division 1

LANCHESTER are second, after racking up 229-9 against visiting Swalwell, thanks to opener Graham Brinton who cracked 88 from 78 balls, which included 17 fours. Kieran Gohery added 58 as they put on 117 runs for the second wicket, while Stephen Smith was the pick of the bowling, claiming 3-67.

The visitors put up little resistance, in a final total of 158 all out, apart from Nick Phillips who made 49, as Kieron Taylor claimed 3-39 and Greg Halliday an excellent 4-26, to win the match by 71 runs.

Division 2

LEADGATE continue to lead from the front, as they won again at home to Bedlington. They made 198-6, with Luke McCabe scoring 76 and David Richardson 41, while Majid Ansari claimed 3-31. In reply, the visitors were just 27 runs short, as they totalled 171 all out. Craig Robinson made 36 and Nicky Douglas 37 late on, but Lee Innes with 3-18 tipped the match Leadgate’s way.

Readers Durham Cricket League

Division One

LEAGUE leaders Easington travelled to Tudhoe and had an easy 10 wicket win. They bowled the home side out for just 48, with Omar Shahid taking 4-8, while Bradley Davis claimed 4-14. In reply, the leaders wasted no time in claiming the win, scoring 51-0, as openers Kavindu Kulasekara (26no) and Jonathan Davis (20no), cruised their side to victory.