ALLENDALE have New Zealander Ross Laidlaw largely to thank for their latest victory in the West Tyne League.

For the former overseas professional up the road at Tynedale fired his new team to maximum points over a determined Matfen Hall side, his century the only notable knock as his side was asked to bat first.

While his batting partners struggled, Jack Raglan was the only teammate to reach double figures, Laidlaw was introduced to the proceedings early and he took his chance with an assured innings.

He came in at after openers Tim Raglan and Ali Stobbs both departed to catches from Steve Tiffin and Ian Pilkington respectively off Callum Curnow deliveries, and he made his mark with hitting a big six from his first ball.

He and Jack Raglan put on 66 before teenager Tom Scott removed the latter, finding his rhythm as he tore through the middle order to claim his first five wicket haul for the senior side.

An early tea was taken due to the rain with the score on 93-7, with Laidlaw upping the run rate on resumption as he scored nine sixes and seven fours to take Allendale well beyond the 100 mark.

Aaron Tiffin returned to the Matfen attack and picked up two wickets, seeing John Welch caught behind and then finally seeing off the challenge of Laidlaw, caught in the outfield by Liam McWilliam.

Allendale's fierce bowling attack again caught the eye, and their tight deliveries meant Matfen's batting order weren't able to get going.

Laidlaw again showed his talent with two early wickets, while Tim Raglan was particularly tight as he claimed three wickets and bowled five maidens from just under 10 overs.

With Dylan Griffin and Geoff Sparke also getting two wickets each, only Max Stephens and McWilliam were able to make double figures for Matfen with Tim Raglan returning to take the final wicket in the 27th over.

Haltwhistle breezed to victory over strugglers Hexham Leazes as they keep up the pressure on the teams at the top.

They made light work of their hosts who have found the going tough since the loss of key players in the off-season, needing just 14 overs to reach their target with the loss of just one wicket.

They started the game well enough as Andrew Whittaker and Ridley stuck around, but, once their wickets fell, the bails were sent tumbling at regular intervals.

The wickets were shared around with Joe Barber, Jonny Wallace and Phil Thompson both claiming more than one apiece. Stephen Donnison provided some middle order resistance as he batted well, but Hexham's final total of 115 looked below par for Haltwhistle's fire power.

And so it proved as Halty openers Barber and captain Dan Parker went after the runs in double quick time.

Barber was the only batsman to depart as he was caught by Dan Toward off the bowling of Brown, Ben Lloyd helping his skipper tick off the runs for an early finish.

Stocksfield II bounced back from their 10 wicket defeat the previous week to maintain their five point lead at the top.

They made hard work of their win over Stamfordham but passed the target set by the home side with three wickets in hand to pick up the all-important maximum points.

Ian Donkin and Richard Gardener got Stamfordham off to a great start at 40-plus without loss, with Alex Gray, Joe Lonsdale and Aamir Riaz keeping up the good work.

But from 70-2, the hosts went to 129 all out as Stocksfield's spinners Paul Brown and Ali Thirlwell claimed crucial wickets, with Chris Scandle returning to clean up the tail.

In reply, Adrian Marrison was sent packing after he misjudged a run but Jonny Tobin and Chris Patterson moved the frontrunners on.

Patterson was the stand-out performer of the game as he made his way to a half ton, with a good contribution from Sam Beedle too.

Then followed a mid-order wobble to put the game on a knife edge, before Stocksfield skipper Phill Bewick steadied the ship and guided his team to 12 points.

Wylam lost ground in the title race as they tasted defeat on their travels to Newton , seeing them 27 points off top spot.

Hosts Newton fielded and bowled well to restrict Wylam's usual big hitters, allowing them to achieve their goal with the second last ball off the second last over.

Their bowlers didn't give many chances away as Wylam opened, although Alex Rayner and Greg Brown started well. James Teasdale then came in and hit his way to a half century, carrying his bat well while his teammates fared less well.

Newton replied well as Dan Taylor and Dinak Rawlley opened, with Andrew Jeffrey hitting a match-winning 50 as he arrived at the crease when Taylor retired with a back injury.

He came back to improve his score of 19, helping his side to the victory with captain Jonathan Bennett also making his mark.

Benwell Hill III remain in the hunt as they kept hold of their top three position, defeating 10-man Haydon Bridge by 32 runs.

The visitors were boosted by good innings from Darshana Thiranga and Andy Dawson, with Bridge's bowlers again keeping things tight with Jamie Taylor, Robert Stephenson and Gavin Boyd in the wickets.

Home openers Chris Welton and Neil Kendrew have been the only batsmen needed in recent weeks after they guided their team to two consecutive 10 wicket victories, and they again amassed some runs at the weekend.

However, they were cut short and their dismissals, along with that of number four Robert Gibson, spelled game over for Bridge as they fell just as they reached triple figures.

Benwell's opening pair took the plaudits, Thiranga with four wickets and Mark Wright with three.

Guided by opener Jack Sinclair, Newcastle I II enjoyed a 47 run triumph over Humshaugh .

His half century helped the side to a total of 150, setting the hosts on the path to a decent enough innings score.

The bowling of Ed Crawford caused problems in the middle order as the Humshaugh man took five wickets, but a late stand of 22 from Samuel Crampton pushed Newcastle on.

Humshaugh struggled to get going in reply as Newcastle's opening bowlers Phil Kelly and Jack Longman made their intentions clear immediately, Kelly taking the two key wickets of Allan Murray and Nick Reid.

The in-form Luke Parkinson provided resistance but it was not enough for Humshaugh who finished on 103 midway through the 31st over.