Tynedale 2nd XI remain the nearest challengers to unbeaten leaders Sunderland in Division 3 of the North East Premier League following a comfortable win at Seaham Harbour on Saturday July 20.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, opener Daniel Nevin (48) was the only bright spot in the top order and the visitors looked in trouble on 81-6 following his dismissal before staging a remarkable fightback through Matthew Platts (56), Josh Wallace (48 not out) and Seth Robbie (46 not out) which led to them declaring on 227-7 after 49 overs. 

In reply, Seaham Harbour made a promising start before mini-collapses saw them slump from 61-1 to 100-6 and then from 121-6 to 129 all out in the 44th over, with the damage done by Seth Robbie (3-18), Craig Barber (3-36) and Ted Fletcher (3-29).

In contrast, Tynedale XI continue to struggle just above the relegation places in the Premier Division. After losing the toss and being put in to bat by visitors Tynemouth, Oliver Fletcher (25) and Tom Cant (36) added 38 for the third wicket before they collapsed to 94-8. Late resistance came from No.9 Matthew Scott (27) who was last man out with the score on 125. Joshua Moors (6-34 off 12.4 overs) starred with the ball for Tynemouth who then coasted to victory in the 23rd over with eight wickets in hand thanks mainly to opener Matthew Kimmitt (82 not out from 68 balls).

In Division 1 of the O'Neill Richmonds West Tyne Senior Cricket League, Benwell Hill inflicted a first defeat since May 11 on leaders Riding Mill in a match played at Newbrough. Alex Smith (44) top-scored for Riding Mill in their total of 170-7 from the allotted 40 overs, before the hosts reached their target off the first ball of the 37th over with six wickets in hand. The main contributors were opener Rohaan Aatif (79) and Jayam Patel (32).

After being put in to bat, Finlay Pearce (41) and opener Jack Patterson (38) scored half of South Northumberland 1864's total of 161-9 at Belsay. In reply, the hosts were soon on the back foot following the early loss of both openers. No.3 Dan Brooker (69 from 49 balls) held the innings together for a while until being caught by Stephen Harper off the bowling of Jacques Graham to leave them on 92-7. They were eventually all out for 113 in 23 overs, with all five South Northumberland 1864 bowlers among the wickets.

Dan Taylor (5-5 off 4.4 overs) starred with the ball for Newton as they dismissed hosts Haltwhistle for 95 in 29.4 overs. Club captain Andy Jones (35 not out) and No.6 Srikanth Reddy (17 not out) steered Newton home in the 31st over with six wickets in hand.

2023 champions Haydon Bridge closed the gap on leaders Riding Mill to 13pts following a low scoring match at Wylam. The South Tyne side were all out for 79 with opener Neil Kendrew top-scorer on 40, and the hosts then collapsed from 40-5 to 45 all out.

In the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Division 2 leaders Matfen remain four points ahead of Backworth following a dominant win by 190 runs at Warkworth. Impressive batting from opener Ananth Jegadeesh (106 from 62 balls), Harpreet Singh Saran (62 from 57 balls) and Siddiqui Muhammad Umer Khattab (68 from 46 balls) helped the visitors post an impressive total of 365-6 from the allotted 50 overs. Abubakar Maqsood (4-48) and Sadiq Khan (3-43) then did most of the damage as the hosts were dismissed for 175 in 43.4 overs.

David Cook (50) and Marcus Sewell (59) were in good form for hosts Corbridge who posted a challenging total of 219-9 against Benwell & Walbottle. The visitors were then restricted to 150-8 from the allotted 50 overs, with James Percival and Chris Fowler both taking three wickets.

In Division 3, Ali Thirlwell (4-24 off 12 overs) did most of the damage for Allendale as they restricted visitors Whickham to 166-8, before Robert Thirlwell (58 not out) guided the hosts across the line in the 31st over with six wickets in hand.

In Division 4, Matthew Scandle (6-42) starred for Stocksfield 2nd XI as they dismissed hosts Rock for only 79 to win by 62 runs.

Matfen 2nd XI remain top of Division 6 South after beating visitors Civil Service by 38 runs. Toby Pilkington (43) top-scored for the hosts in their total of 153 all out, before picking up three wickets as Civil Service were dismissed for 115 in the 32nd over. Aaron Tiffin (3-10 off 6.1 overs) also helped to polish off the lower order.

Also in Division 6 South, Stocksfield's experienced openers Chris Catnach (29) and Simon Wraith (32) top-scored in their total of 144 all out at home to former West Tyne League rivals Allendale. In reply, the league's basement side slumped from 101-2 to 119-7 before finishing agonisingly close to victory on 141-9 when the overs ran out, with opener Geoff Sparke (37) their top-scorer.