TORRENTIAL rain put paid to much of Saturday’s action in the West Tyne League.

But four games in Division One did go ahead, and the top three all took advantage of the opportunity to put points on the board.

Haltwhistle shot to the top of the table with a convincing five-wicket victory at home to Matfen Hall.

John Armstrong (3-13) took three wickets as they bowled their visitors out for 117. Connor O’Leary top scored for Matfen with 33.

In reply, Haltwhistle cruised to 121-5. Dan Kirkup was 52 not out, and Bart Ryan contributed 31. O’Leary was Matfen’s leading bowler, taking 2-17.

Locked on 211 points with Haltwhistle are second placed Humshaugh. The defending champions were emphatic nine-wicket winners over Benwell Hill III. After restricting their visitors to 56-9, Humshaugh finished on 57-1.

Hexham Leazes retained third place with a seven-wicket win away to second bottom Stamfordham. The hosts finished on 152-8, before last season’s Division Two champions chased down their target, reaching 154-3.

The division’s bottom club Belsay recorded their first win of the season, as they won away to Newton, by a margin of 42 runs.

Chris Townson scored 34, and David Robson 30, to help the visitors clock up 133-9. Newton bowler Andrew Jones took 3-20.

Jones added 30 with the bat, while Graeme Tolchard scored 33, but Newton could only muster 91 in reply.

There was a four-wicket Hall for Belsay’s P. Howey (4-17). Izzath Omar Sheriff took 3-23, and Richard Mills 2-21.

Fourth-placed Haydon Bridge’s match away to South Northumberland fell victim to the weather. South North were 42-4 after 16 overs when rain stopped play. Bridge did not get a bat.

Northumberland & Tyneside League

THE weather led to a frustrating afternoon for Tynedale against Percy Main in Division One.

They totalled 205-6 from their allocated 43 overs in a match reduced due to the rain. Skipper Tom Cant continued his good batting form with a solid 52, while Oliver Fletcher added 39. Percy Main’s Will Taylor took 3-36.

But the game was abandoned in the 25th over with Percy Main on 85-1. Laurie Robson was 42 not out.

It was an equally frustrating day for Stocksfield, as they had to settle for a share of 10 points after their match at Morpeth was cancelled. The same applied for Ponteland in their home match against Greenside in Division Two.

Corbridge’s home clash with Berwick in Division Three went ahead, with the hosts winning by five wickets.

Corbridge’s bowlers enjoyed a productive afternoon. Russell Perry (3-11) and Corey Dover (3-16) claimed three victims apiece, as Berwick were all out for 93. Christopher Fowler hit 38 as Corbridge finished on 94-5.

Allendale got back to winning ways in Division Four, defeating Civil Service at home, by 64 runs. Rhys Scott was 60 not out, and Mohammed Zeeshan Tahir added 60, as the hosts clocked up 268-8. John Colley took 3-53. Stephen Wilkinson hit 70 for Civil Service, as they scored 204 in reply. Tom Scott took 4-64, while there were two wickets apiece for Oliver Fenton and Liam Pringle.

Stocksfield II were 67-3 in their home match against Stobswood Welfare, before rain called a halt to proceedings.

In the same division, Ponteland II lost by two runs in their match at Percy Main II, which was reduced to 42 overs.

Andrew Morgan scored 53 as Ponteland II reached 138-9. Steve Black took 5-44. Black scored 42 with the bat for Percy Main, before he was caught and bowled by John Lumb. Despite two wickets apiece for Johnny Mole and Max Bell, the hosts finished on 142-8.

Play was minimal during Tynedale II’s visit to Greenside II. Nathan Byerley took 2-19 before play was suspended in the 11th over, with Greenside II on 35-2.

In Division Six South, Kiel Zurawlew was the star man as Riding Mill won at home to Monkseaton II by seven wickets.

He took 4-35 as the visitors were bowled out for 110, and scored 32 with the bat as his side reached 111-3. Gavin Howdon was 34 not out.