TYNEDALE got the better of West Tyne rivals Stocksfield in the Northumberland and Tyneside League Division One.

The hosts won by eight wickets at Prior’s Flat on Saturday, in a match which was delayed by rain showers, and reduced to 30 overs a-side.

Stocksfield captain Steven Henderson won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to exploit a wet outfield when play finally got under way at 3.30pm.

But Tynedale’s strength so far this season has been their bowling attack, and again they were impressive as they bowled their opponents out for 109.

Once Josh Shuard had picked up Chris Patterson (6), it became the Matthew Scott show as the junior ripped through the top and middle order with four quick wickets, providing two catches for Jamie Crichton behind the stumps.

With Stocksfield struggling, the partnership of Danny Whiley (46*) and Aaron Rouke (19) added some much needed numbers on the scoreboard for the visitors.

Their partnership was ended as home skipper Tom Cant, fielding the ball off his own bowling, ran out Aaron Rourke at the wicket keeper’s end. Cant picked up three of the next four wickets, and David Newton one.

In reply, Tyne got off to a quick start with a series of boundaries before Stocksfield’s Matthew Tobin continued his fine early season form to bowl Dan Parker for six runs.

Junior Oliver Fletcher joined his captain, who passed his 50 off 48 balls. Fletcher fell LBW to Andrew Wood for a well made 29, with 13 runs required. Sam Mannion was 0*, while Cant finished on 73 not out, as Tyne recorded their fourth victory of the new season so far.

Cant said: “It was an excellent all round performance in tough conditions. We are playing well but have some difficult games coming up.”

The captain praised the progress of Scott and Fletcher, having coached the pair at U11 level just five years ago.

Stocksfield skipper Henderson said: “We have to give Tynedale credit for the way bowled and fielded in difficult conditions, before scoring the runs they needed to win the game.

“We know what we’re capable of, we’ve won three of our opening five games of the season, so we have a lot to be positive about as we move on to the next game.”

Tynedale are away to Alnmouth & Lesbury on Saturday, while Stocksfield will host Newcastle City.

In Division Two, Ponteland’s home match against Seaton Burn was also affected by the weather, and was reduced to 47 overs per side.

It ended in a tie, with both teams clocking up 149 run totals. Benjamin O’Brien scored 47, for Ponteland, while John Gardner was 42 not out. Javed Mirza took 4-27, and Christopher Weldon 3-38.

Mirza scored 42 with the bat for the visitors, while Modussar Ali contributed 46. There was a five-wicket haul for Ponteland’s Iftikhaar Ul Haq Fazal (5-34), while Gardner took 3-45, and Ashley Parker 2-35.

Ponteland (149-9 from 47 overs) were awarded 17 points, and Seaton Burn (149 all out from 36.5 overs) 16 points.

Corbridge were five-wicket winners at home to Ashington Rugby in Division Three.

The visitors finished on 173-7 from their 50 overs, with Lewis Tanney 55 not out. Corey Dover (3-43) and Dean Robinson (3-40) took three wickets apiece. In reply, Marcus Sewell was 65 undefeated for Corbridge, while Matthew Thompson added 45.

Allendale’s home fixture against Newcastle City II was one of three matches rained off without play in Division Four. In the same division, the game between Stocksfield II and Ponteland II went ahead, with the hosts winning by 164 runs.

A solid 50 from Ben Archer helped the home side reach a total of 194. Ponteland’s John Lumb (5-32) took a superb five-wicket haul, bowling all of his victims. The visitors had an off-day with the bat, however. They were all out for 30. Top scorer was Johnny Mole with 13.

Kirkley lost by 113 runs away to Seaton Burn II in Division Five North. Robbie Burns took 2-32 as the hosts reached 163-7 from their 34 overs. And Burns top scored with eight as Kirkley were all out for just 50. For Seaton Burn II, Dave Gunion took 4-11, and Connor Tynan 3-18.

Rain put paid to Tynedale II’s trip to Benwell & Walbottle in Division Five South. The match was cancelled at 3pm without a ball being bowled.

It was the same story in Division Six South, for the match between Blyth II and Corbridge II.

But despite the weather disrupting some matches, there was some impressive cricket played elsewhere in the division.

Michael Yeoman was 87 not out, and Simon Farrington 42 undefeated, as Kirkley II enjoyed a thumping 10-wicket win at home to Monkseaton II in Division Six South.

Kieran Douse took 3-35 as the visitors finished on 138-9.

Mokseaton’s bowler’s were unable to remove Yeoman and Farrington, as Kirkley II reached 142-0 from 19.5 overs.

In the same division, Riding Mill lost by 95 runs at Civil Service II. The hosts finished on 189-7 from their 40 overs, before Riding Mill were all out for 94.

Teams who missed out on the action will be hoping for better weather this Saturday.