BELSAY ended South Northumberland 1864‘s title hopes with a shrewd batting display.

With all teams in Division Two just to play 20 games, South North’s chances of catching the champions elect Newcastle III are all but over as they lie 20 points off with just two weekends remaining.

Turning up to Belsay with just 10 men, they watched as home captain Allan Johnson batted through all 42 overs to pass his half century and gear his side towards victory.

Alan Fletcher eclipsed the score as he came close to an unbeaten ton, but he was let down by his teammates who found the bowling from openers Dan Tait and Richard Mills too difficult to play.

Only Mitford can realistically overhaul Newcastle but their chances are slim as they trail by 14 points, despite a crushing triumph over bottom side Humshaugh II .

Humshaugh found runs hard to come by but Mullen and Telfer put on a good mid-wicket stand to push the score on.

Yet failing to pass the 100 mark was easy pickings for their hosts who, despite losing Colin Crowe and Terry Dunn early, made it home in the 28th over courtesy of Chris Kirtley and Kieran Mole.

Newcastle took a step closer to the title as Mitford II were unable to do their first team counterparts a favour. The home side‘s total of 144 may have seemed below par but there were good knocks from Euan Stenhouse, Finlay Pearce and Jack Longman throughout the order.

And it was Longman who was the main man in earning the maximum points as he claimed a five-fer at the expense of just 19 runs, Mitford’s batting order disappointing as they crashed out for just 66 runs.

Corbridge Millers are looking to strong to finish mid-table in their debut season, moving up to eighth courtesy of their four wicket victory over Stocksfield IV . Ralph Marrison and Aaron Rourke made a good dent on the scoring for Stocksfield as they passed 100, but they had to contend with some good bowling particularly from Ivan Jepson, Charles Reid and Peter Nitsch.

Jepson continued his starring role as he hit the winning runs in Corbridge‘s reply, building on a great start from opener Mark Terry.

A strong Wylam II team defeated Hexham Leazes II in an entertaining encounter at The Jubilee.

Featuring players who have made their mark when representing the club’s first team, Wylam won it with eight wickets in hand with Neil Wells, Rob Bergstrand and Jonny Greenwood finding the boundary regularly.

They had to chase down a good score of 179 set by Hexham who had Rob Willis reaching his half century, and captain Trevor Holmes with a solid knock of 30.

Wark were rewarded all 12 points as Haltwhistle II were unable to field a team, and it was a similar story for Medomsley as they benefited from Allendale II conceding.