CORBRIDGE ran table topping Ashington Rugby close but settled for just six points out of a possible 30.

Their bowlers and fielders did well to limit the hosts to an innings total of 117, but they fell just short by six runs after a shaky start to their reply.

Captain Andrew Dover struck to remove Ashington opener David Dent with the score on 18, but the hosts ticked over to 40 until Matthew Tanney was caught by Jack Garrett off the bowling of David Cox.

It was the first of Cox's four wickets as he struck again to put Rugby on 91-5, aided by catches from John Maude and wicketkeeper Ross Atkinson.

Corbridge kept the pressure on with Christopher Fowler catching one from his own delivery, with Jack Garrett coming in and cleaning up the tail with Ashington's final four wickets for just four runs.

Corbridge had a slow start to their reply with David Cook and Mattie Thompson both trapped lbw early in the innings, victims to Ashington's ruthless openers James Richards and Dean Greaves, the man who tore through West Tyne League's representative team the week before when he turned out for the Northumberland Cricket League XI.

Atkinson and Fowler steadied the ship but Richards was successful with another leg before appeal to send Atkinson packing.

Fowler was in good form and found the boundary five times, and ticked the score along with David Smurthwaite after Cox's brief spell at the crease.

Dover and Maude both chipped in with double figures later in the order, but the introduction of Cory Milburn to the attack caused havoc for Corbridge as he finished with four wickets, including the big one of Fowler.

With Corbridge knocking on the door of victory, Jack Garrett and Dean Robinson were removed to see them agonisingly short.