In Division One of the O'Neill Richmonds West Tyne Senior Cricket League, leaders Riding Mill remain 13 points ahead of 2023 champions Haydon Bridge with three games to play after both sides recorded victories on Saturday.

Andy Watson (46), Steve Kent (37 not out) and Michael Thompson (34) helped hosts Riding Mill post a challenging total of 183-8 from the allotted 40 overs against Wylam.

In reply, Neil Wells (51), Ross Wilson (40) and James Teasdale (31) put Wylam in a winning position on 130-2 with plenty of overs in hand before they collapsed to 161 all out in the 38th over, with five of the home side's six bowlers among the wickets.

It proved to be a much tighter finish at Haydon Bridge where the hosts dismissed bottom of the table Belsay for 76 to win by six runs.

Last week's KO Cup winners Humshaugh's poor league form continued with another defeat at Belsay against South Northumberland 1864. Albie McPate (42) starred for the hosts who recovered from 77-6 to reach 161-8, with Finn Garrett-Jowsey (4-35) the pick of Humshaugh's seven bowlers. Jack Garrett (46) top-scored for the visitors who slipped from a promising 109-4 to 121 all out in the 31st over, with Patrick Hatcher (5-12 off 6 overs) doing most of the damage.

Benwell Hill were restricted to 68-9 in their 40 overs by hosts Newton, with the wickets shared by Charlie Laverick (4-13 off 7 overs), Stephen Pitman (3-13 off 8 overs) and Srikanth Reddy (2-11 off 8 overs). In contrast to the visitors' painfully slow scoring rate, Newton cruised home with eight wickets in hand and almost 25 overs to spare.

In Division Two, bottom of the table Stocksfield (128 all out) picked up only their second win of the season against league leaders Riding Mill. Their hero was Joseph Beckett (5-22 off 8 overs) as Riding Mill were dismissed for 96.

In the Premier Division of the North East Premier League, Tynedale lost the toss at home to Ashington and were put in to bat. The main contributors in their total of 145 all out were Nkosana Mpofu (31), Edward Foreman (25) and Jamie Crichton (38), with James Harmison and Alex Nice both taking three wickets. In reply, second placed Ashington were struggling on 71-6 until former Newcastle Blue Star goalkeeper Sean McCafferty (39) and Matthew Potts (46 not out) added a crucial 68 runs for the seventh wicket. They eventually reached their target in the 41st over with two wickets in hand.

Tynedale 2nd XI consolidated their promotion push in Division 3 with a winning draw at Lanchester. After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the Hexham side were indebted to wicket-keeper Will Marrow (147 not out from 116 balls) and Josh Wallace (49 from 51 balls) as they declared on 278-8 after 46 overs. In reply, Nav Ahmed (46) and Daniel Scott (45) added 69 for the fourth wicket but Lanchester were always behind the required run rate and the innings closed on 143-5 after the allotted 49 overs.

In Division 2 of the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Chris Fowler (64) top-scored for Corbridge (146-9) who won by eleven runs at Cowgate Sports. All five of Corbridge's bowlers were among the wickets with most success enjoyed by Thomas Waugh (3-19 off 10 overs) as the hosts were restricted to 135-9.

Batting first after winning the toss, leaders Matfen were dismissed for 193 by bottom of the table Percy Main. Seven of the first nine batsman reached double figures, headed by No.5 Siddiqui Muhammad Umer Khattab (34 from 34 balls). The struggling visitors, who have won only one game this season, were then all out for 91 with the wickets shared by Amin Ul Faisal (5-34) and Sadiq Khan (3-31).

In Division 4, Hexham Leazes won by two wickets at home to Rock. Their player of the match was opener Rob Hook (98 not out) who then took four wickets.

In Division 6 South, Dave Smurthwaite (90 not out) and Neil Tiffin (78 not out) shared an unbroken second wicket stand of 162 for Corbridge 2nd XI in their total of 205-1 at home to Benwell & Walbottle 2nd XI. The visitors were restricted to 164-8 from the allotted 40 overs, with this latest win leaving Corbridge a single point behind second placed Ryton with seven games to play.

League leaders Matfen 2nd XI remain on course for promotion after winning by seven wickets at Allendale. Following heavy rain overnight and on Saturday morning, Matfen skipper Alex Pearse had no hesitation in bowling first after winning the toss. Tony Gilchrist picked up the first wicket at the end of the 10th over with a perfect away-swinger being nicked behind by Terry Sparke, and Neil Spooner bowled opener Phil Sheldon who top-scored with 21. Aaron Tiffin then had a great spell, picking up wickets on a regular basis.

His first five victims were all clean bowled and his sixth was well caught by Ross Dias. He finished with superb figures of 6-11 off 7 overs to become the fifth bowler for Matfen to achieve a five-wicket haul this season, as the hosts were dismissed for 74 in the 27th over. In reply, Danny Gilchrist (29) and Rob Hooker (37) batted very well and added 66 in thirteen overs before their side cruised to victory in the 16th over.