Tynedale dominate game against new boys

Ashington gained their first win of the season as they overwhelmed visitors Percy Main by 167 runs. The highlight was a third-wicket partnership of 156 between Durham man Mitch Claydon and Ross Sample.

The shame for Sample was that he fell just three short of a century, his 97 including 11 fours. But Claydon made it past the magical three-figure mark as he crashed 11 fours and four sixes in his innings of 103.

Carl Ainsworth (15 overs 4-56) did his utmost to stem the tide but in the final reckoning the Colliers' total of 276-7 was always going to be too much and Main collapsed to 109 all out.

Swalwell provided another demonstration of their power with a 120-run success over Annfield Plain. Richard Hawthorne carried his bat through the champions innings to end with 115 to his name.

And with Ian Pattison also particularly punishing in his 77, a daunting total of 275-5 was posted. The combination of Nicky Phillips (3-25) and Ian Pattison (2-35) proved too strong as the visitors finished on 155-8.

Leadgate found chasing a target of 226 to their liking as they pulled off a six-wicket win over hosts Lintz. Ryan McVitie (66no) and David Nevin (62) played brilliantly in a fifth wicket stand to take Lintz up to a respectable total.

But Paul Greenwell (75) and Stephen Smith (75no) were even more effective, despite three wickets for Michael Edmunds.

Shotley Bridge had their flying start to the season halted by the rain. Peter Collingwood (47) and Graeme Angus (41) had been responsible for taking Bridge up to 193-8, but with Benwell & Walbottle on 67-3 there was no further play.

Sacriston had too much in the bank for Ryton, who were bowled out for 94, a total passed for the loss of a couple of wickets.