STOCKSFIELD maintained their charge at the top of Division One with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Ryton.

The home victory took them up to second place with 91 points, just three behind leaders Lanchester.

After winning the toss, Stocksfield elected to field, and made light work of their opponents, who were all out for 121.

Bowler Matthew Tobin (6-10) was in scintillating form. His six-wicket haul included the crucial capture of opener Syed Mohtashim – Moh Ali, Ryton’s top scorer with 39. Aaron Rourke took 2-23.

The hosts cruised to 122-2 in less than 23 overs. Opener Adrian Marrison scored 25, while Chris Patterson (40) and skipper Steven Henderson (46) were both undefeated.

Tynedale are hot on the heels of their local rivals after their three-wicket victory over Annfield Plain.

They began the Division One match in dominant form, bowling out their opponents for just 85 in a fixture which was reduced to 40 overs due to disruptions caused by hail and rain.

Openers Matthew Scott (2-14) and Joshua Shuard (2-34) were backed up by first change bowlers David Newton (4-15) and captain Tom Cant (2-12). The bowlers were well backed up in the field with some impressive catches by juniors Ollie Fletcher and Matthew Scott, and an outstanding leg side stumping from Jamie Crichton.

On a slow, low wicket, Tynedale got off to a solid start as they ticked the runs off slowly before they lost Cant for just five, with the score on 35.

At 53-1, victory was well within reach for the visitors, with only 33 runs to win. However, both Daniel Parker (37) and Fletcher (1) fell, and Tynedale were beginning to struggle.

A crucial on drive for four from number nine batsman Scott saw them over the line.

Tynedale have also won three matches out of four this season, and moved up to fourth place on 87 points. Tynedale and Stocksfield will lock horns at Prior’s Flat on Saturday, starting at 1pm.

Cant said: “Saturday was a tough wicket to bat on, and for 75 per cent of the game we played excellent cricket apart from a late collapse. The match against Stocksfield should be a brilliant game for West Tyne cricket. Stocksfield have started well and it will be a tough game for both teams.”

Ponteland defeated Bates Cottages by nine wickets away from home. They bowled their hosts out for 103, with Joe Boaden (3-19) and Benjamin O’Brien (3-13) taking three wickets apiece. In reply, the visitors finished on 105-1, with O’Brien 68 not out.

In Division Three, Corbridge were convincing winners at home to Whickham, by 101 runs.

Nathan Shoesmith scored 59, and Marcus Sewell 26, as the hosts were all out for 136.

Whickham’s Scott Richardson took 4-30, while Matthew Rodger (3-16) and Gerhardt Badenhorst (3-39) took three apiece.

Daniel Owen was Corbridge’s star bowler, taking 6-18 from his nine overs, as Whickham were all out for just 35. Corey Dover took 2-13, and his father Andrew Dover 2-0.

In Division Four there was a comfortable victory for Stocksfield II, who won away at Backworth II by 138 runs.

Richard Mannion (52) and Matt Crowther (46) put in solid batting performances as the visitors reached 199 all out.

They restricted the Tynesiders to just 61, with Alistair Thirlwell taking 3-4, and Antony Allen (2-8), and Jonny Tobin (2-10) two apiece.

Allendale lost by 20 runs despite another century from skipper Tim Raglan. Ponteland II finished on 175-4 from their 46 overs, with opener John Lumb scoring 52 and Paul McReady contributing a steady 60.

While Raglan scored 107, Allendale’s batsmen struggled, and they were all out for 155. Johnny Mole took 3-44, and Parminder Singh 3-18.

Tynedale second XI recorded their first victory with a 26 run victory at home to Annfield Plain in Division Five South.

Batting first, the hosts scored 185-7 from their 40 overs, with Ben Griffiths leading the way with an excellent 85 from 92 balls. In reply Annfield Plain were restricted to 159-7, with James Percival (3-25) and older brother Matthew Percival (2-26) the pick of the bowlers.