CORBRIDGE turned to older heads to help their first team out of a player crisis, and it proved a winning formula as they kick started the year with victory over newly promoted Cramlington.

Russell Perry was in particular devastating form with the ball as he and his experienced captain Andy Dover accounted for eight wickets between them to restrict their guests to the Stanners.

Simon Walker and Dave Smurthwaite were asked to open but there was early disaster as both Walker and his replacement Perry were dismissed.

Smurthwaite dug in and remained at the crease for more than an hour, with Marcus Sewell offering some middle order support with a steady knock. Dean Robinson contributed before his removal brought Dover into bat, and the skipper pushed the score into triple figures. John Maude and Corey Dover, the teenage son of Andy, offered some late runs to see Corbridge end on 137.

Perry and Dover snr opened the bowling and their tidy spells cleaned up Cramlington’s top order.

Dover claimed three wickets and Perry a match winning five-fer as Cramlington slumped to 25-8.

The visitors recovered with captain Bryan Walker top scoring with a half century, but the visitors were all out shortly after a collective ton.