TWO of the top three sides in Division One clashed on Saturday, with Hexham Leazes getting the better of reigning champions Humshaugh.

The ever-reliable Andrew Webster opened the batting for Leazes, and he top scored for the home side with a steady 32.

Backed up by Ross Davies’ 29, the hosts were 148-8 from their 40 overs. Robert Forster took 2-20.

Humshaugh responsed with intent. Skipper Andy Crawford led by example with 43 runs, while Cameron McKenna added 30.

But the visitors were all out for 134, with Hexham’s Harry Fitton taking 4-13, and two each for both Andrew Green (2-22) and Davies 2-26.

Leazes moved into second place, but Haltwhistle remain top after their six-wicket demolition of sixth placed Newton.

Mark Rowell took 3-10, and Bart Ryan 2-14, as the visitors were restricted to 102-9. Jonathan Bennett top scored with 32.

Opener Ryan scored 60 for Haltwhistle before he was caught and bowled by Andrew Jones. Lewis Swallow was 20 not out as the hosts reached 104-4.

Haydon Bridge maintained fourth place with an impressive all-round performance at Mitford A.

Graham Gradwell scored an eye-catching 75, which included seven sixes. Robert Gibson hit 42, while Ian Watson added 39. Mitford’s J. Edwards took 3-8, and P Patel 2-8.

The hosts were all out for 65, with Joe Barber and Liam Stephenson both taking 4-10.

Despite a seven wicket haul from Aaron Tiffin, Matfen Hall lost at home to South Northumberland, by 41 runs.

South North were all out for 100, Tristan Meears White top scoring with 31. Tiffin took 7-11.

But Matfen struggled with the bat, and were all out for just 59. M Tauqir almost matched Tiffin’s excellence, taking 6-6.

Stamfordham were the big movers at the bottom, winning at home to Wylam by eight wickets. Alex Gray took 4-26, and Graham Adamson 3-28, as Wylam were all out for 116.

In reply, Gray scored 62, while Tom McCallum was 38 not out, as Stamfordham reached 120-2. Eddy Jackson took 2-21.

The division’s basement side, Belsay, won their second league match of the season, at home to Benwell Hill III, by 16 runs.

Stocksfield III continued their charge at the top of Division Two, with a two-wicket home win over Hexham Leazes II. Steven Page was 109 not out, Mark Jacobs scored 56, while Chris Catnach added 34, as the hosts finished on 249-8. Tim Willis took 3-23. Leazes were all out for just 32, with three wickets each for Nomi Numan (3-9), Matthew Scandle (3-17), and Paul Brown (3-3).

Second place Haltwhistle II won away to Humshaugh II, by one wicket. S. Marsh took 4-30, and Jack Johnstone 3-16, as Humshaugh II were restricted to 104-9.

Despite the efforts of Michael Arnup (3-25) and Adam Murphy (3-9), Haltwhistle II reached 105-9 from 35 overs.

Alice Sargeant was a stand-out performer as Stocksfield IV won away to Allendale II. She took 4-24 as the hosts were restricted to 128-9. Phil Sheldon scored 41, and Terry Sparke 39.

Sargeant was 32 not out, while Andrew Newton added 28, as the visitors finished on 129-7. There were two wickets apiece for Kevin Phillipson (2-26), Sparke (2-11), and M. Morgan (2-18).

Bottom side Clara Vale II won at home to Medomsley, by eight wickets. They bowled their visitors out for just 64, with Avtar Dhillon taking 3-20, and Gaurang Dhillon 3-21.

In reply, Ben Drake was 35 not out, while Gaurang Dhillon was 20 undefeated, as Clara Vale II took just 18 overs to reach 65-2.

The West Tyne League is fast approaching the business end of the season. This weekend will see Division One Leaders Haltwhistle travel to South Northumberland.