Tynedale bowlers too much for Annfield Plain

Gordon Muchall made a rare appearance for the home club, and played a vital part in the win with a classy 62 which eventually proved to be easily the highest score in the match.

Sacriston ended on 199 for 8, and then Melvyn Betts (3-18) and Muchall (3-31) led the charge to victory as the visitors folded for 107.

The win moved Sacriston to within 14 points of Swalwell, and four of Shotley Bridge.

When Tynedale were dismissed for just 140 it looked all up for the Hexham outfit, but then some brilliant bowling left Annfield Plain in disarray as the visitors rattled up an 87-run win.

Anoop Pai (4 for 24) and Graham Carr (3 for 38) were anything but plain for Annfield as they shot the visitors out in just 39.4 overs.

But then Barry Stewart and Richie Darling proved almost unplayable as Plain crumbled to 53 all out in 28.1 overs. Both Stewart and Darling bowled 12 overs each, Darling conceding just 13 runs in picking up three wickets, but Stewart filled his boots to end with the superb figures of 6 for 29 to lift Tynedale into fourth place.

Lee Murray was in mint condition for Leadgate, his spell of 5 for 15 rolling Benwell & Walbottle over for just 87.

Earlier, his team had found it a struggle against Kamran Mansoor (5-29), but limped up to 150-9, which was to prove more than enough.

In Division A2, Lanchester remained firmly on course for promotion with Paul Underwood once again in scintillating form hitting an unbeaten 130 as his team plundered 272 for 1 off the Seaton Burn attack to set up a 95-run win.

With Chopwell's game at Cowgate washed out, Lanchester ended the day as joint leaders.