AFTER a summer of twists and turns, teams in the West Tyne League Division One are gearing up for a dramatic final day.

Haltwhistle remain in pole position to clinch the title after their two-wicket win over Wylam. Opener Ben Lloyd top scored with 37 as the hosts finished on 164-8. Bart Ryan added 30. Wylam’s Kevin Marshall took 3-14.

The visitors were all out for 87, with Jack Johnstone taking 3-30. Second placed Haydon Bridge are eight points behind in the title race, after they won at Matfen Hall by 39 runs.

A solid 58 runs from Robert Gibson, and 34 from Joe Barber, led Haydon to 141-8. Aaron Tiffin took 3-18. Michael Watts top scored with 58 for Matfen, but they could only muster 102 in reply. Tom Waugh took 3-10.

Defending champions Humshaugh remain in third place, but their challenge was dented by a seven-wicket defeat at home to Newton.

The hosts were all out for 101, which included Crispin Straker’s knock of 32. Andy Goulding took 4-11, while Andy Jones claimed 3-13.

Matt Scattergood scored 31, while Jones was 22 not out, as Newton reached 102-3. Stephen Thompson took 2-4.

Hexham Leazes are fourth after their six-wicket home win over South Northumberland. Dan Toward took 3-27, and Andrew Green 2-9, as South North were all out for 131. Top scoring batsman was David Harbottle with 26.

Leazes, fuelled by Billy Kingman’s 39, cruised to 134-4. David Cragg took 2-22. Benwell Hill III enjoyed a six-wicket win at home to Mitford. Three wickets (3-12) from Sam Stillwell, and Aqeel Tassawar’s 2-18, restricted Mitford to 115-9. Joss Parker scored 38.

In reply, Zain Ullah was 35 not out, and David Ladd was 38 undefeated, as Benwell Hill reached 116-4. Richard Brown took 2-24.

At the bottom end of Division One, Belsay were away winners at Stamfordham, by four wickets. Andrew Neal top scored with 33 for the hosts, but they were all out for just 68. Amjed Marzook claimed 3-4, while there were two wickets each for Richard Mills and Andrew Welford.

Allan Johnson scored 24 as Belsay reached 71-6. Omar Mahmood was 13 not out. Graham Adamson took 3-11, and Ian Donkin 2-17.

Haltwhistle will secure the Division One title if they score enough points on Saturday. However, they face a difficult trip to Mitford. Second will play third as Haydon Bridge host Humshaugh, while Hexham Leazes travel to Benwell Hill III.

The Division Two season concluded last weekend. Stocksfield III are champions after they won by 23 runs at Humshaugh II on Sunday.

Shaun Sagar hit an impressive 61 not out to help his side on their way to 153-9. There were three wickets apiece for Archie Fletcher and Duncan Sewell.

Liam Ridley scored 37 as Humshaugh rallied in reply, but they fell just short at 130-9. Stocksfield bowler Harry Catnach took 4-23, while Luke Masters (2-28) and Alice Sargeant (2-14) claimed two wickets each.

Haltwhistle II secured second place with a 58-run victory at Allendale II.

Ben Hampshire’s 40 runs were crucial as the visitors set a target of 129. There were three wickets each for Allendale’s R. Flanagan (3-10) and Martin Blair (3-43). Bevan White took 2-8.

Allendale were all out for 71. There was a three-wicket haul for Alfie Dodd (3-20), and two wickets each for Andy Wrightson, B. Cousins, and Robert Graham.

Mitford B ended the season in third place after they won by 25 runs at home to Medomsley.

A fine 68 not out from Jordan Mallaburn set the hosts on their way to 144. There were three wickets each for Jack Sanderson (3-11) and Steve Walker (3-21). Jordan Bell was 48 not out for Medomsley, as they totalled 119. Matt Edwards took 4-27, and Lawrence Park 3-24. Stocksfield IV won by three wickets at home to Clara Vale II. Jonty Cope took 4-22, while Andrew Cope was 30 not out. For Clara Vale II, Johnny Lee, Avtar Dhillon, and Gaurang Dhillon all claimed two wickets.