HAYDON Bridge‘s Tom Waugh wasted no time in doing West Tynedale neighbours Haltwhistle a favour at the weekend.

Needing to be away early to enjoy a night on the tiles, he was promoted to number three in the batting order and he stole the show as a quick fire half century helped his team to a five wicket win over title chasing Hexham Leazes.

The defeat for an under strength Leazes side without key players has put their championship charge in doubt, now 24 points off top spot.

After a tight spell with the ball, Waugh turned his attention to a hasty stay at the crease and he put Bridge firmly in the driving seat by hitting four big sixes. His final total of 50 came from just 28 balls.

They were chasing a good total of 140 as Hexham coped without the likes of Ben Griffiths, Ben Thompson and Liam Pringle, Paul Newton and Andrew Brown putting on a good partnership of just over 100.

But Haydon Bridge’s bowlers were again on song without being able to bowl their hosts out, Jamie Taylor again starring with Waugh chipping in too.

The early dismissal of Ian Watson brought Waugh into action in reply, and he and opener Chris Welton went racing after the total by scoring more than 10 an over.

Waugh departed with the score on 90, but his work had been done and his side saw it through despite losing wickets to boost neighbouring Haltwhistle‘s title chances.

Ben Duncan was in imperious form as his seven wickets moved Wylam into second spot. Including a hat-trick during his impressive 12 over spell, he ripped through Matfen Hall’s order as they crashed to 79 all out.

Matfen started brightly and top scorer Hamish Kennett again showcased his ability, with fellow New Zealander James D‘Arcy supporting well.

But the introduction of pacey Duncan, whose run ups were shortened due to back pain, turned the game on its head, seeing Max Stephens, Ross Colesby and Louis Charlton dismissed in consecutive balls.

Duncan also saw off danger man Kennett, and Matfen provided little resistance with the score not troubling Wylam.

With rain clouds gathering, Wylam knew their run chase would have to be a quick one and they finished things within 11-and-a-half overs with Alex Rayner again leading the way.

Haltwhistle remain sitting pretty at the top by a margin of 17 points, despite being thwarted in their pursuit of a maximum by Newton .

After a delayed start for the rain, the visitors put themselves into bat first in the reduced 38 overs match but struggled against some good deliveries from opening bowlers Dan Kirkup and Joe Barber.

Harry Clarke and Mark Davison were the only batsmen to have any real joy, Mark Rowell and John Richardson continuing the good work of the opening pair with the ball.

Barber and Kirkup were asked to open the batting for Halty too, and they got the leaders off to a great start with a stand of 50 until Barber sent one back to bowler Chris Wilkie.

But in came high scoring captain Dan Parker and he chipped in as Kirkup passed his 50 to make it win number 12 for the season.

Stocksfield II bounced back to winning ways but were the latest to be frustrated by Prudhoe’s defensive tactics.

The strugglers again chose to block all deliveries to avoid being bowled out, thus denying their rivals the chance to pick up all 12 points.

Stocksfield put in a good bowling display, but Prudhoe‘s batting order stuck to their job well with the pairing of Gary Chamberlain and Gavin Howdon again the ones to rack up some runs.

The final innings total of 91 wasn’t going to trouble their guests, and captain Phill Bewick and Adrian Marrison reached their target in the 14th over to beat the early evening downpours.

Allendale‘s new signing Tim Raglan showed what a big signing he could be for the club as his knock of 74 spearheaded his home village club to victory over Benwell Hill III .

Having played for Tynedale last term, he has recently made the step back down into the West Tyne and he showed his ability as he formed a good partnership with Corey Hyde.

After Hyde was caught, Raglan’s father John joined him at the crease and they found the required runs with eight wickets in hand.

They restricted Benwell to 117 despite captain David Ladd batting through to claim an unbeaten half century, Terry Sparke and Tim Raglan returning good figures.

Humshaugh batted their way to back-to-back victories as they overcome the challenge from mid-table Stamfordham , going joint eighth in the process.

The ever reliable Ian Donkin hit a century for a much improved Stamfordham to gear his side towards a high score, but there was little assistance elsewhere in the order as they were out for a combined total of 149.

Humshaugh built on a good start through captain Allan Murray and Nick Reid, a half ton from Crispian Straker lifting the side from third bottom.