A HAT-TRICK of wins has seen Haltwhistle get off to a flying start.

The West Tynedale side’s ruthless bowling attack was in full force once again as they made short work of the home team Humshaugh.

Batting first, Humshaugh lost opener Ed Crawford for nought through the bowling of Archie Richardson.

Joe Johnson top scored with a resolute 23, but Haltwhistle’s bowlers threatened from the first ball.

Richardson’s figures of 3-24 proved vital for the away side, but it was Philip Thompson whose 3-12 in 6.4 overs and three maidens that were the game’s best figures.

Jonny Wallace and Dan Kirkup contributed two wickets each as the home side were bowled out for 66.

Haltwhistle made light work of the run chase despite wicket keeper Ryan Bell falling for a duck after the opening partnership of Bennett and Lloyd.

Robert Forster secured two wickets against the away side, but it was Swallow (22no) and Wallace (4no) who steered the league leaders to victory in 15 overs.

Hexham Leazes were unable to maintain their unbeaten run, however, as Benwell Hill won by nine runs in a close contest.

After winning the toss and electing to field, away side Benwell Hill started strongly through David Ladd’s 69, which included nine fours.

A useful 34 from Bhuiyean added to the away side’s score of 171-8 as Leazes struggled to break the side down despite using six bowlers.

Richard Root’s 3-15 off three overs prevented opener Ladd from progressing any further.

Strong scores from the Leazes top order ensured the home side got off to a flying start with Lucas Holmes top scoring with 39, including seven fours and one six.

But Benwell’s strong bowling attack stifled the Hexham side.

Bowlers Ahmed and Reeves, who took three wickets each, removed the Leazes top order after all five players posted double figure scores.

And despite a courageous 17 not out from Richardson and 10 not out from McCormick, Leazes narrowly fell nine runs short, finishing the match on 162-9 off 35 overs.

Haydon Bridge maintained an unbeaten start to the season and sit in fourth place after two wins and one cancellation.

Put into bat by Wylam, the Bridge posted 118-8 off 35 overs with Tom Waugh top scoring with 25 not out.

The Wylam bowling attack threatened throughout the innings, though, as Rewcastle, Robinson and White all took two wickets.

However the best bowling figures of the day were reserved for Haydon Bridge’s Jamie Taylor whose 3-6 helped bowl out Wylam on 66 in 23.5 overs.

Robinson top scored with 19, but it was Gavin Boyd’s 3-14 and Mark Elliot’s 3-19 that contributed to the side’s downfall.

Newton were back to winning ways after last week’s loss as they defeated Mitford by nine runs.

The home side lost openers Lee and Brown both for one run, but Scattergood’s 26 and wicket keeper Jeffrey’s 40 provided the home side with the impetus to post 126-9 in 35 overs.

Despite an encouraging 31 from Mitford captain Mole, the away side’s batters struggled to create run-scoring partnerships and they were unable to overhaul their opponents’ total.

Brown and Scattergood’s three wickets contributed stifled Mitford’s reply that saw them fall short at 117 all out off 33.4 overs.