A FANTASTIC unbeaten century from Ross Atkinson guided Corbridge to a big win over Kirkley.

On a slow outfield, the opener carried his bat magnificently through the innings to set the platform for the 76 run victory.

During the marathon innings, he only hit six fours with the rest of his 125 runs coming between the wickets.

He and fellow opener Dave Cox added 59 for the first wicket, but a mini wobble followed as Russell Perry and Marcus Sewell both went for ducks soon after.

Chris Fowler, Jack Garrett and Dave Smurthwaite all kept Atkinson company, with a valuable 49 partnership at the end with Dean Robinson seeing Corbridge to an impressive 203-6.

But it was Atkinson who stole the stole with his 50 coming from 67 balls, his century in 111 and his final total of 125 from 133 deliveries.

Kirkley were immediately in danger as Perry trapped Eashan Ragbir lbw first ball. Perry was on fire and struck to remove Will Asher as Kirkley slumped to 10-2. Ed Common and Mick Nicholson steadied the ship, but their hopes started to fade when the latter was caught behind by Sewell off Dean Robinson.

Fowler came in and heaped the pressure on with three wickets, while Robinson claimed another as the middle order faltered. Young Corey Dover again bowled impressively, and Jack Garrett finished things off when last man Christopher Smith was well caught by Steve Kent.

Scorecard

CORBRIDGE: R. Atkinson not out 125; D. Cox b M. Ragbir 15; R. Perry c Gillott b Singh 0; M. Sewell b M. Ragbir 0; C. Fowler c North b M. Ragbir 10; J. Garrett c Asher b M. Ragbir 13; D. Smurthwaite c Asher b E. Ragbir 10; D. Robinson not out 12. Extras 18. Total 203-6. Bowling: E. Common 13-1-61-0; C. Smith 4-0-22-0; M. Ragbir 13-3-21-4; J. Singh 7-1-21-1; W. Asher 4-0-29-0; E. Ragbir 9-0-46-1.

KIRKLEY: W. Asher c Garrett b Perry 3; E. Ragbir lbw b Pery 0; E. Common c Perry b Fowler 21; M. Nicholson c Sewell b Robinson 42; A. North not out 25; C. Rowe c&b Fowler 4; R. Gillott b Fowler 0; C. Farrelly run out Perry 15; M. Ragbir st Sewell b Robinson 1; J. Singh lbw b Dover 2; C. Smith c Kent b Garrett 2. Extras 12. Total 127ao. Bowling: R. Perry 8-3-15-2; J. Garrett 5.2-2-22-1; D. Robinson 13-1-43-2; C. Fowler 7-1-22-3; C. Dover 6-0-17-1; D. Cox 3-1-4-0.

Corbridge 30pts, Kirkley 5pts