TIM Raglan returned to the Allendale team to help get their title charge firmly back on track.

Banned for two league games by the club following a bust-up with teammate Ross Laidlaw in the nets, he had a point to prove when he was reinstated in the first XI in the crunch game with championship rivals Haltwhistle .

And he delivered with a match defining century, his knock helping the leaders extend their lead at the top after two successive defeats saw them lose ground.

Both Raglan and Laidlaw, huge contributors to putting Allendale in such a commanding position at the top of the table, were back in the frame and played a huge role in the narrow victory over second placed Halty.

One week after brother Jack hit a century of his own, Raglan went after the bowlers from the start and a four from his first delivery set out his stall early.

His 100 came off 71 balls, the former Tynedale man, who has been replaced as captain by Ben Lloyd, went all out attack.

Opening with Charles Sale, they made 80 for the first wicket with Laidlaw joining him at the crease to take the score to 145-1 after 22 overs.

After both departed, Allendale ran out of steam and struggled past 200 when 250 looked well within their grasp, Uzman Kawaji and Joe Barber claiming some key wickets while Shah claimed the vital wicket of Raglan.

In Barber and Dan Parker, Haltwhistle possess one of the league’s most potent opening batting partnership, and they put the pressure on with some quick scoring.

Parker’s innings was cut short when Sale had him caught by Jack Raglan, but Barber was in sublime form and didn’t give a chance as he whacked seven fours and four sixes to gear towards his own ton.

He and captain Graeme Lee moved the score to 140-1 and the hosts looked certain of victory, but Liam Pringle captured the important wicket of Barber, again caught by Jack Raglan, to deny the opener his 100.

When Pringle tempted Michael Parker next ball, the panic set in and Haltwhistle’s hold on the game was loosened.

Fifteen-year-old Rhys Scott conceded little from his four overs to keep a lid on the score, the returning Laidlaw and Tim Raglan then restricting the home batsmen even further in the final four overs to boost Allendale’s title hopes.

Stocksfield took the opportunity to go back to second spot following their narrow victory over Humshaugh .

With Jack Garrett in impressive form with the bat, Humshaugh threatened to overhaul the home side’s total but some good bowling displays throughout the Stocksfield order guided the team to maximum points.

On a rain-affected wicket, scoring was tricky but Stocksfield captain Ali Thirlwell elected to bat first after winning the toss.

They lost Chris Patterson and Steven Henderson, but Adrian Marrison and Matt Bewick batted well to get the innings back on track.

After Marrison was unfortunately run out due to a miscommunication, James Watson came in later in the order and he and Bewick fired Stocksfield to 157. Watson was particularly attacking, his score of 27 coming from 22 balls.

Tight spells from opening bowlers Patterson and Perry Hall restricted the Humshaugh scoring, but the pair of Nick Reid and Garrett were expansive as they formed a fourth wicket partnership.

Garrett made the wicket look a batter friendly one as he timed the ball well, with Reid also in good form. However, the big moment came when Reid lofted a delivery from Matty Scandle high and straight into the grateful hands of Thirlwell.

Stocksfield skipper Thirlwell then cleaned up the tail to see Stocksfield up to second, 12 points off leaders Allendale.

Matfen Hall remained in touching distance as they were awarded 20 points when bottom club Newcastle III conceded their fixture, while Wylam were also unable to fulfill their trip to Hexham Leazes to add to a disappointing day for the league.

Six wickets for David Harbottle helped an in-form South Northumberland 1864 to victory over Haydon Bridge .

His bowling caused all sorts of problems for Bridge’s middle order, restricting the visitors on a wet wicket.

Haydon Bridge got off to a flying start through the returning Chris Welton and fellow opener Robert Gibson, the former making his mark with a well made 50.

However, Harbottle’s arrival as number five bowler disrupted Bridge’s momentum as they finished on 126.

Jamie Taylor and Liam Stephenson bowled tight opening spells to ensure South weren’t able to pull away, Taylor getting two early wickets to catches from Mick Cunningham.

However, the third wicket stand of Tristan Meears-White and Callum Fletcher spearheaded the hosts’ chase, nudging them towards the total which South North managed to reach despite facing some hostile bowling.

l A West Tyne League representative side will tackle their rivals from the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League at Allendale on Sunday afternoon.

Haltwhistle’s Dan Parker is set to captain the team, and will be joined in the starting XI by teammate Joe Barber.

James Watson, of Stocksfield, has been selected as wicketkeeper, with fellow Stocksfield players Chris Patterson, Adrian Marrison and Perry Hall included too.

Allendale duo Tim Raglan and Ross Laidlaw are listed, with Laidlaw’s fellow Kiwis Will O’Brien and Alex Tait, both of Matfen Hall, included along with Humshaugh’s Nathan Byerley. The game is scheduled for a 2pm start.