TYNEDALE’S first XI missed the opportunity to go top of the NTCL Division One at the weekend.

Playing away to Alnmouth and Lesbury, the team slipped to a two wicket defeat with close rivals Lanchester and Swalwell rained off. The defeat meant Alnmouth now top the table after six rounds of games.

Tynedale lost the toss and were asked to bat first under grey skies.

In just the third ball of the game, captain Tom Cant was dropped at first slip off the bowling of Matisse Richards before finding his feet with a couple of boundaries. However, he was caught at second slip on 12 from the same bowler.

The following Tynedale top order got off to impressive starts but crucially no one went on to get a big score or pass 50.

Dan Parker (33) and Oliver Fletcher (24) saw off the new ball before falling. The middle order of Sam Mannion (45) and Jamie Crichton (29) ticked the innings along before the lower order saw Tynedale to 200 all out. Matthew Scott’s dogged work saw the team achieve maximum batting points before he was stumped in the last over.

In reply, Scott dismissed the Alnmouth captain Jonny Craigs for one in the second over, but Tynedale were sloppy in the field with misfields, extras and too many short balls allowing batsmen Straker and Batey to lead the chase.

The tide looked to be turning in Tynedale’s favour as the introduction of David Newton saw the end of Batey with Fletcher taking another fantastic diving catch this season, before Cant dismissed Hemantha and Burnett was run out by Newton.

Straker and Brooks were dismissed after a posting a 44 run partnership to leave Alnmouth 141-6, requiring another 60 runs to win with four wickets left and the top six back in the pavilion.

Tynedale bowlers were now facing the lower order, and Whyte and Poole rode their luck to edge Alnmouth closer despite numerous plays and misses. Josh Shuard returned, and achieved the wickets of both batters to leave Alnmouth with four to win.

However, the winning runs summed the day up for Tynedale, a no ball that went for four courtesy of a misfield on the boundary.

Alnmouth and Lesbury gained 30 points whilst Tynedale received nine points. The loss leaves Tynedale in fourth position on 126 points with Morpeth fifth on 125. Above them, Alnmouth top the league on 134, Lanchester on 133 and Swalwell on 132.

Tynedale look to bounce back on Saturday when second placed Lanchester make the trip to Priors Flat.

Elsewhere, Stocksfield had to settle for a draw after their Division one clash with Newcastle City first XI was ended after play timed out at 8pm. After winning the toss, Newcastle put Stocksfield into bat with overcast skies ahead.

The team struggled to find rhythm though, and were reduced to 105 all out with Sam Beedle top scoring on 23.

A magnificent four wickets in a row from Chris Scandle saw him concede only 22 runs inside seven overs, however, the light wasn’t on their side. Newcastle posted 74-5 inside 16 overs before time ran out. Stocksfield received 11 points while Newcastle received 13 points.

Two high-scoring batting performances weren’t enough for Ponteland first XI in Division Two as rain abandoned play in their game against Blyth.

Daniel Wright (88) and Benjamin O’Brien (76) posted a 70-run partnership before Ponteland declared on 240-5.

Blyth posted 66-3 in 22 overs, but play was suspended from tea. Ponteland received 14 points.

In the NTCL Division Five (South), Tynedale second XI were again frustrated by the rain against Tynemouth third XI.

Batting first, Tynedale posted a strong 241-4 from their 40 overs.

Opener Ben Griffiths again led the way with a magnificent 125 from 111 balls with 14 fours and six sixes before falling to the bowling of Wilson.

He was well supported by Paul Newton who made 65 not out from 67 balls with nine fours and one six. A late surge from Adam Newton saw him hit two fours inside 12 balls.

Unfortunately, the rain arrived at tea time and continued until the game was abandoned. Tynedale had to settle for a draw to pick up 13 points. Tynedale sit in ninth place. They travel to third place Lanchester second XI on Saturday.