CORBRIDGE gained an important maximum point victory to claw back points on eighth point Blue Flames.

The 30 points in the nine wicket triumph gives them plenty of breathing space between the teams in the bottom two, but also gives them hope of catching their visitors who are one place above them.

Corbridge captain Andy Dover won the toss and put the nine-man Flames into bat first, the decision reaping immediate rewards.

For Jack Garrett struck in the first over, claiming the first of his two wickets by bowling Nasir Amin.

Mohsin Iqbal was then caught at slip by John Maude off Russell Perry in the 11th over, before Garrett struck again by bowling Richard Chapman to leave the visitors 38-3.

Dean Robinson and Andy Dover came into the attack and posed all kinds of problems to the batsmen, the former having the dangerous opener Ijaz Khan stumped by Ross Atkinson.

He continued to torment the order in a fine spell of bowling but watched on as his teammates failed to capitalise on a couple of chances.

Dover had more joy by cleaning out Mirza Baig and Ahmed Ali, before Robinson got his second wicket when Amjed Khan was well caught by Maude at point.

The skipper finished the innings when he saw Amin brilliantly caught by Marcus Sewell in the deep while diving forward, Blue Flames all out not long after passing the 100 mark.

In reply, openers Ross Atkinson and Chris Fowler were in imperious form as they dominated the visitors’ attack with a dazzling array of shots. They looked like they were going to be the only batsmen needed as they added 88 in the opening 10 overs, so it came as a surprise when Fowler was bowled by Sourabh Roy.

Sewell joined Atkinson and enjoyed a jaunty stint at the crease as Corbridge secured all 30 points by reaching their target in the 14th over.

Atkinson was the star of the show as he batted throughout, his innings including 10 fours and a six.