Johnston earns Humshaugh first win

Bowling has been their strength this season as runs have been hard to come by, and it was 17-year-old Johnston who stole the stage with a five-fer in the comprehensive seven wicket triumph over Mitford B .

He was on fire as he rattled through Mitford's order, well supported by Richie Gibson who claimed conceded just three runs from his 22 balls, all coming in the final over as he bowled three maidens.

Humshaugh's bowling performance had Mitford all out in the 19th over, only number three Head-Rapson able to reach double figures.

Humshaugh opener Sean Cunningham stuck in well and enjoyed a good partnership with Andy Mullen, the game won with the final ball of the fifth over.

There was some joy for the visiting club though as Mitford A crushed title hopefuls Belsay courtesy of a scintliating batting display.

Despite the best efforts of bowlers Chris Townson and John Fraser, Mitford's batting order were in fine form with both Colin Crowe and Kieran Mole hitting half centuries, the latter reaching 50 off 34 balls.

Jonny Lees came close to his half ton but ran out of time just three runs short.

There were great performances by all four of Mitford's bowlers Mole, Dan Tuite, David Wigham and Penn, restricting Belsay to 91 with Matty Fenwick's unbeaten knock the highlight alongside decent stands from Jasper Gray and Richard Mills.

Allendale II and Hexham Leazes II ended the weekend with eight points apiece after the away team levelled the scores just in the nick of time.

In a nail-biting, entertaining fixture, both teams posted 224 with Leazes reaching the total with just one wicket in hand.

After the early loss of Howard Robson, Allendale's order were in free scoring form particularly John Raglan whose total of 86 included nine fours and a six.

Young Matthew Scott joined him in the half century club with five fours helping him past the 50 mark, while Chris Welch and Mike Leveratt also weighed in with runs.

Hexham were impressive with the bat too as Tony Crosby and Damon Watts got them off to a good start, with Matt Barrick and Jerry Taylor also contributing to the chase.

With Allendale's bowlers making things tricky, it was over to the final wicket stand of Jamie Rossiter and Craig Stanners to edge Leazes to level peggings.

Wylam II just managed to overhaul Haltwhistle II's score to gain maximum points.

They had just one wicket in hand when they found the required runs, geared over the line by a late, match-winning knock from George Hogg.

Haltwhistle were just shy of a collective 100 despite John Kirkup, Michael Parker and Ben Hampshire reaching double figures.

They faced a late order collapse as they struggled against balls from Tom Lugsden, Rob Bergstrand and Neil Wells, while keeper Mark Hull featured heavily with two stumpings, a catch and a run out.

While Andrew Purdie and Bergstrand set a good platform for Wylam, the game was on a knife edge as John Heppell claimed an impressive six wickets. The introduction of Hogg at number 10 though, tipped the game in Wylam's favour.

Classy half centuries from both Phil Suckling and Ryan Potts earned Wark victory at Corbridge Millers , who had Gavin Howdon hitting a 50 of his own.

Corbridge posted a good score of 165 as Howdon carried his bat for the entire 42 overs, he and fellow opener Steve Kent moving the scoreboard on quickly. Graham Gradwell impressed for Wark with four of the five fallen wickets.

The home side would have been confident of victory after claiming Wark's opening three wickets, but Suckling and Potts stuck around to see the North Tyne side to glory.

Leaders South Northumberland 1864 were big winners over Medomsley , who were skittled out for just 18 runs.

South North posted 197, with James Moon, Tristan Meears-White and Richard Clifford top scoring.

The visiting bowlers showed no mercy on Medomsley's batsmen as openers Ruaidhri Fletcher and Cameron Skinner tore through the order, David Harbottle finishing things off at the end as the hosts had no batters in double figures.