DEFENDING a below par total of 115, a fantastic performance in the field earned Corbridge the victory over Tilliside.

Led by birthday boy Andy Dover who claimed five wickets for 19 runs from his 11 overs, the hosts bowled out their visitors for a combined total of just 71.

In a game significantly disrupted by the strong winds, Corbridge were aided in their pursuit of glory by 23 wides - the day’s largest contributor!

Both sides put in a below par batting display, the home side looking short during the innings as they couldn’t find any rhythm.

Opener Simon Walker (0) was caught by Cameron McGregor off Liam Hindmarsh (3-29) with the score on just one. Mattie Thompson (4) was next to go when bowled by Jake Birkett (2-27), with David Cook (3) following him soon after to Hindmarsh.

While the batsmen couldn‘t rack up the runs, the extras column was flying up and Cook departed with the score on 33-3. Skipper Chris Fowler (18) was joined at the crease by Chris Darling (0) but he was unable to score from the six balls he faced.

Providing some resistance, Fowler and Dover (16) put on 30 together before falling in quick succession, Dover first to Duncan Sim (1-26) and Fowler to a catch by Gareth Hill off Alan Hindmarsh.

The new pairing of Ross Atkinson (16) and Dean Robinson (6) made 22 until Iain Sim caught Atkinson off Alan Hindmarsh, while Michael Kirchner (19) joined Robinson as they neared the 100 mark.

Robinson and his replacement David Hardy (0) were then both dismissed by McGregor (2-7) and Corbridge were struggling on 96-9.

Kirchner, along with a three run contribution from George Ridley, sent Corbridge to 110, but the innings ended as he was caught by Alan Hindmarsh off the bowling of Liam Hindmarsh.

With victory well within Tilliside’s grasp, they got off to the worst start when Ross Hindmarsh (0) was caught by Fowler off Hardy (2-37).

Jack Bagness (3) was lbw to Dover (5-19), but Andrew Reed (23) was batting well to keep his side in it.

His dismissal to a clean ball from Dover helped dry up the runs, with Hardy having Cameron Beasley (1) stumped by the alert Atkinson.

Birkett (11) and Liam Hindmarsh (16) took the score to 57 but Tillside were in trouble when the former was caught behind off Dover and Hindmarsh returned a catch to bowler Fowler (3-10).

Iain Sim (8) was caught by Darling off Dover who completed his five-fer when Gareth Hill (2) was caught behind to leave Tillside out of reach on 71-8.

That was the end of the scoring as Folwer struck when McGregor (2) was stumped, and Alan Hindmarsh trapped lbw to finish a great reply from Corbridge.

With skipper Chris Jowsey again leading the way, Corbridge II defeated Whitley Bay II by five wickets.

The nine men of Bay could only manage 87 runs with Jowsey (4-17) excelling, before going on to top score with 27 not out, well assisted earlier in the innings by young Doug McKendrick (26).