IN a stop-start game, Whickham's firepower earned them victory over Corbridge.

Their total of 149 in 25 overs proved out of reach of their rivals, who were unable to continue their good start to the reply.

The game was initially reduced to 35 overs each after a delay started, but a further rain interruption just before 4pm resulted in the game being reduced even further as play resumed at 5pm.

In opener Mick Armstrong, Whickham possessed a match winner as his half century spearheaded their innings.

Alongside Jeff Bowman, he got the visitors off to a solid start as they put on 50 for the first wicket until Russell Perry had Bowman caught by Dean Robinson.

In came Scott Richardson and again put on 50 with Armstrong to take the score to 101, but both fell to the bowling of Robinson as he had Armstrong stumped by Marcus Sewell and Richardson bowled.

It was an unsteady period for Whickham and Corbridge captain Andy Dover cranked the pressure up with two quick wickets, Andrew Wilson the innings' second stumping victim and Matthew Purdy the first lbw casualty immediately after.

Dover contributed a third wicket as Joshua Warner was caught by Dave Smurthwaite, but not before he put on an important 25 with Matthew Rodger to take the score to 141.

Rodger and Louis Ainley saw out the remaining overs, putting Whickham in a good position for the victory.

Corbridge suffered an early setback in their innings when Mike Stephenson was forced to retire.

But Chris Fowler and Doug McKendrick were unfazed as they put on an opening stand of 46 to get their chase up-and-running.

The openers fell within quick succession as McKendrick was bowled by Rodger and Fowler caught by Lee Hargreaves off the bowling of Alex McGregor.

Russell Perry and Simon Walker put on 20 for the third wicket, with Walker replaced by Dover when caught by Rodger off Hargreaves.

A quick knock from the skipper took Corbridge's score to 86, but it was still way off their target as the overs ran dry.