STOCKSFIELD enjoy a slender lead over their rivals from Tynedale after two games played as they enjoyed another maximum point victory at the weekend.

Picking up a maximum of 60 points from their opening fixtures, they are top of the regional table by just one point, with Tynedale also earning back-to-back victories.

Stocksfield welcomed Consett, who had lost to Tynedale on the opening day of the season, and just like in their win over Lintz, ended the day as victors by 93 runs.

Following his 46 on the opening day, opener Chris Patterson continued his boundary-laden start to the season by hitting seven fours on his way to 43 before succumbing to the bowling of Dan Pyke.

The rest of the order did not fare as well until Sam Beedle came in at number six and hit the ball cleanly, making 13 fours and two sixes before being bowled by Jack Murray on 79.

Brothers Matthew and Chris Scandle proved a thorn in the side of Consett’s batsmen as they chased 197, both claiming three wickets.

Chris (3-15) claimed the scalps of both opener, with the assistance of a fine catch from Patterson, while Matthew (3-20), making his first team debut, also impressing.

Aaron Rourke, Ryan Chamberlain and Beelde all chipped in as Consett fell for 104.

Tynedale made it two wins from two as they returned from Annfield Plain with a three wicket victory.

The hosts put themselves into bat first but lost their first wicket in the third over when impressive teenager Matthew Scott struck for the first time in the afternoon.

Plain’s batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking over as they ended on 167-9 with Scott ended with three wickets and Tom Cant, Jake Robson, James Rainford and Adam Newton all striking too.

Last week’s hero Dan Parker went for a duck in the opening over in reply, but Cant and Ollie Fletcher moved the score past 50 before Fletcher departed.

Tynedale were always slightly behind the required rate but a half ton from Cant always had them in contention, until a couple of quick wickets meant the game was in the balance with Tyne requiring 14 from the remaining 12 balls of the game.

Teenage pairing Scott and Robson showed great maturity to find the runs, albeit with the aid of two dropped catches, and Robson found the boundary to secure the victory for the visitors.

Corbridge slumped to back to back defeats as the 234 set by hosts Ryton proved 74 runs out of their reach.

With Neil Robinson and Ben Perry hitting half centuries, Ryton were always in command. For Corbridge, Joe Barber took three wickets and Chris Jowsey and Connor Garrett-Jowsey two each.

Corbridge’s opening pair of Barber (39) and Ross Atkinson (30) got the visitors off to a great start in reply, making a partnership of 57.

However, Ryton’s bowlers came out on top despite Corey Dover hitting his way to 25 runs, and Hedley Renton and Andy Percival seeing themselves to 15 each, and Shaun Fenwick 11.

l Stocksfield’s winning run extended to three games as they contested the opening round of the Village Cup against Haughton.

Haughton batted first and made their way to 119 as they struggled against the bowling of Ryan Chamberlain (2-12), Aaron Rourke (3-21) and Ali Thirlwell (3-20).

Stocksfield were confident going into reply with captain Steven Henderson (34no) and Sam Beedle (45no) scoring freely to make light work of the chase within 17 overs.

Stocksfield will again be at home in the second round as they have been drawn against Kirkley this Sunday.