MEDOMSLEY took the opportunity to close the gap at the top of Division Two in a competitive match-up with Hexham Leazes II .

While they missed out on all 12 points, they closed the gap as tied leaders South Northumberland 1864 lost and Newcastle III drew.

They had skipper Mark Charlton and Milburn for guiding them to the victory, both passing their half centuries with aplomb as the team chased down 190.

Leazes had a good innings in bat of their own as they opened, both Rob Willis and Damon Watts making their 50s to give their team a real chance.

However, Medomsley’s opening pair fired their side to the victory as they still had seven wickets in hand when they passed their target.

South Northumberland knew victory would move them ahead of Newcastle as they played Mitford II on Sunday, but they suffered a setback as call-ups to the second team left them with 10 players.

And the setback threw them off their goal, only posting 91 for two batting points with Richard Clifford top scoring and Jay Virpura proving dangerous with the ball for Mitford.

Graeme Potts went about the goal and his unbeaten half century saw the game won in the 17th over.

Newcastle III ended the day with five points as rain disrupted their game with Wylam II , the stoppages meaning the game was unable to be completed before the 7.30pm cut-off point.

The game was balanced on a knife edge as Wylam required 42 from the remaining 10 overs, and with five wickets in hand.

Adam Senior and Cope had put on good knocks for Newcastle as they opened, particularly against some good bowling from openers Liam Bell and Harry Mahon.

After Marc Heslop steered Wylam‘s innings, Alex Wright and Chris Harrison were hopeful of overhauling the target but time worked against them and they had to settle for four points.

Maximum points were scooped by Allendale II as they inflicted a five wicket defeat on 10 man Haltwhistle II .

After a slow start, the pairing of Andy Kennedy and captain Lewis Swallow saw Halty all out on 128.

Allendale’s reply was solid and their run rate was boosted by the experienced duo of Barrie Waller and Kevin Philipson as they remained at the crease at the end of the game.

Allendale had been given a steady start by captain Howard Robson and Sutterby as they opened the innings.

A half century from Wark‘s Phil Suckling meant a similar score from Corbridge Millers’ Peter Levingston-Smith was not enough for victory.

Basement club Corbridge looked good value as a combination of Levingston-Smith and Jonathan Dunkley put them in a good position by tea.

Yet Suckling was in fine form in reply as he set a good platform for teammates Pigg and skipper Paul Armstrong to fire the North Tyne side to 10 points, both finding the boundary five times.

Humshaugh II moved above Stocksfield IV after their final score of 148-6 was 33 better off than what their opponents could manage.

Belsay dropped to second bottom as a result of their six wicket defeat to Mitford , Chris Townson top scoring for Belsay but seeing the innings total overhauled with the help of Colin Crowe who was forced to retire.

Mark Parrish proved a good opening partner, while Jack Taylor and Jonny Lees made double figures to help them over the line.