Heavy rain on Saturday morning wiped out the majority of the cricket programme across Northumberland with the notable exception of the matches at Haydon Bridge, Belsay and Morpeth, although the latter's game against Alnwick in Division One of the Northumberland and Tyneside League had to be abandoned after 21 overs with the visitors struggling on 84-5.

In the O'Neill Richmonds West Tyne Senior Cricket League Division One top of the table clash at Haydon Bridge, the 2023 champions lost by eight wickets against this season's pace-setters Riding Mill.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Haydon Bridge were dismissed for 66 in 37.3 overs with opener Neil Kendrew (31 from 56 balls) the only player to reach double figures. The wickets were shared by five of the six bowlers used by Riding Mill with club captain Andy Watson almost single handedly wiping out the lower order. He returned outstanding figures of 5-5 off 4.3 overs, and received good support from Rory Young (1-11 off 8 overs), Ben Sherrard-Smith (1-12 off 8 overs), Alex Smith (1-12 off 8 overs) and Michael Collins (2-18 off 7 overs).

In reply, opener Andy Watson (34 not out from 58 balls) and No.3 Alex Smith (22 from 35 balls) were the main contributors as the visitors comfortably reached their target off the final ball of the 22nd over. Jamie Taylor was the most economical of the five bowlers used by Haydon Bridge, with figures of 1-19 off 8 overs. 

This was Riding Mill's 10th win of the season and leaves them with a near unassailable 27pts lead over second placed Haydon Bridge.

In a match reduced to 35 overs at Belsay, hosts South Northumberland 1864 created a piece of local cricketing history as Jenny McDowell became the first ladies player to captain a team in the West Tyne League.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts' top order grafted hard for runs against the Wylam attack before they were eventually dismissed for 129 in 33.5 overs. Jacques Graham was top-scorer on 34, which included six boundaries, while George McConnell added a valuable 22 runs before being bowled by Edward Jackson. All six bowlers used by Wylam were among the wickets, with the star performers being Thomas Barnett (3-9 off 3 overs) and Marcus Wells (3-27 off 7 overs).

In reply, it turned out to be an afternoon to forget with the bat for Wylam as they slumped to 45 all out in 19.2 overs, Chris Japes (13) and Greg Brown (10) were the only players to reach double figures. The damage was done by teenager Albie McPate who recorded career-best figures of 6-11 off 7 overs, with the other four wickets shared equally by George McConnell and Thomas Oliver.

The West Tyne League KO Cup Finals were another victim of the wet weather on Sunday and have been rearranged for Sunday, July 21 at Tynedale Cricket Club. Haltwhistle face Wylam in the Division 2 Final at 1.00pm, followed by Humshaugh v Belsay in the Division 1 Final at 4.00pm.