CORBRIDGE fell narrowly short in their run chase as they lost by just 16 runs to rivals Kirkley.

With 133 on the board for the home side, Corbridge were unable to hit their target as they fell to a second successive defeat.

Kirkley were put into bat first and suffered an early setback, opener Chris Smith (2) going to a delivery from David Hardy (1-23) with the score on four.

Fellow opener Craig Johnson (19) was then run out and Daniel Potter went for a duck to Andrew Dover (1-22) to see the hosts on 29-3.

Ed Common (9) and Andrew Storey (28) took the score past the 50 mark until Common was caught by Dean Robinson off Chris Fowler (1-44). Soon after, Jack Garret caught Mark Douse (0) to give Derek Robinson (6-31) his first wicket.

Robinson wasn‘t finished there though and he went on to take a further five wickets as Kirkley were all out for 133, having Storey caught by Dover, clean bowling David Douse (8), and then having Singh (1) caught by Simon Walker.

Finishing things off, Mattie Thompson claimed the catches of both Chris Farrelly (4) and danger man Jason Ritchie (48).

Corbridge’s innings started more smoothly with Walker (45) ticking the scoreboard along, David Smurthwaite (3) caught by Farrelly off Singh (1-24) with the score on 23.

Walker and Thompson (20) then put on 50 for the second wicket until Walker’s time was cut short to an lbw decision to Smith (7-14). Almost immediately, Fowler (1) was caught by Storey off Joe Turnbull (1-36).

Dover (8) became Smith’s second victim before he accounted for Thompson, leaving Corbridge on 93-5.

Smith was just warming up and claimed another quick four wickets to leave his opponents struggling along at 111-9, Dean Robinson and Jack Garret both going for ducks, Michael Kirchner removed for five and George Ridley caught after making two runs.

David Hardy put on a knock of 14 which included three fours but his removal by Common (1-34) ended Corbridge‘s chase on 117, number 11 Derek Robinson remaining not out on two.

Corbridge II won the crunch match with fellow strugglers Monkseaton II in a nail-biting final over.

With Monkseaton batting first, they put on 182-3 with Daniel Craigie (1-35) and John Davidson (2-59) claiming the wickets. There was also a tight spell from U13 Finn Garret-Jowsey.

It was a close run thing with a good knock of 67 from Chris Sewell spearheading them in the right direction, before U15 junior Marcus Sewell (40no) found the required runs right at the death.