HUMSHAUGH were in fine form with the bat as they sought to climb away from the lower reaches of the lower reaches of the table when they entertained fellow strugglers Allendale.

Four of the first five batsmen got well into double figures, as the North Tyne side posted a commendable 231 all out.

Hedley Renton was once again top scorer with a sparkling 71, and worthy knocks also came from B. Wraith (40) Allan Murray (21) N. Reid (28) and A Crawford (35).

Allendale’s main wicket taker was T. Sparke, with 4-52.

In reply openers J. Welch (33) and Hyde (22) provided a solid start for the Dale, with later contributions from C, welch (20) and Sadler (14 not out) saw the finish with four wickets standing at 166.

Humshaugh’s leading wicket taker was Forster with 3-30;

Wickets were hard to come by at Wylam, with just five going down all afternoon as league leaders Haltwhistle were the visitors.

Third placed Wylam dug in well against the strong Haltwhistle attack, and had reached 165-6 at the end of their 42 overs, meaning Haltwhistle only had 10 points to go for.

They reached their target in style, with the openers still together when the winning runs came.

Second placed Stocksfield lost ground. only managing five points from their visit to mid-table Newton.

Batting first, Stocksfield lost Tobin without scoring, but were given momentum by M. Bewick (26) and Patterson (57). Contributions by Watson (34) and P. Bewick (39) saw the visitors to a useful 171-9, with Prabandhika (3-25) and Telfer (3-10) the pick of the bowlers,

In reply, opener Wilkie (34) gave Newton a solid start, with significant middle order knocks from Balkwill (39) and Kim(24) maintaining momentum until an unbeaten 24 from Jeffrey saw them home with three wickets in hand.

Brown was the pick of the Stocksfield bowlers with 3-39, with Allen and Tolchard taking a couple apiece.

Bottom side Prudhoe’s woes continued, as they managed only two points from their visit to Benwell Hill.

Only able to field 10 men. they were bowled out for 98, falling away badly after an encouraging start from openers Chamberlain (41) and Zorawlew (19).

There were three-wicket hauls for Thiranga (3- 11), W. Archbold (3-25) and Jewitt (3-32).

An unbeaten 39 from Ladd, and 33 from Smith saw the Hill to a comfortable seven wicket win.

Hexham Leazes also won by seven wickets on their visit to Matfen, who could only muster 75-8 in their 42 overs.

Only Kennett (14) and Hogg (22 not out) reached double figures as Dan Toward proved the pick of the bowlers with 3-21 in his 12 overs.

An unbeaten 27 from Newton saw the Leazes overe the line for the loss of just three wickets.

Haydon Bridge climbed the table by claiming maximum points when they hosted Stamfordham .

The Bridge posted a challenging 206-7, and the visitors‘ last wicket fell with them still 66 runs short.

In division two, secon bottom Belsay did themselves a power of good with a hard-earned won over visitors Humshaugh,

Architect of the victory was Christ Townson, who took 6-25 as Humshaugh were bowled out for 131, the main contributions to which were 26 from Hynd, and 27 from Sewell.

Belsay then found themselves under pressure as as it was Duncan Sewell’s turn to register a six wicket haul, taking 6-34.

Despite good knocks from Jasper Gray (20) Chris Townson (17) and Matty Fenwick (28) the game was in the balance until number eight Dan Tait came in with a timely unbeaten 31 to steer Belsay home.