ALTHOUGH some play was possible in 10 of the 18 matches involving our local teams on Saturday, none lasted longer than 17 overs, and heavy rain had the final say as all were eventually abandoned.
In Division 5 West of the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Benwell Hill were on 64-2 after 11 overs at Blaydon, with opener Rashid Shad (34 from 31 balls) top-scorer, when proceedings were curtailed.
Greenside opener Paul Reed (29 not out) had steered his side to 48-1 after 17.2 overs when their home game against Matfen was abandoned.
Newton were in control at Haltwhistle when the weather came to the home side's rescue.
Put in to bat after losing the toss, Haltwhistle openers Neil Kendrew and Stephen Marsh were both out for a duck before Ollie Birkett and Charlie Dodd departed with the score on 13.
Dan Connelly was Stephen Pitman's third victim to leave them on 16-5 and the heavens then opened with the score on 25-5 after 12 overs.
The wickets were shared between Pitman (3-18 off 6 overs) and Chris Wilkie (2-3 off 6 overs).
Only five overs were bowled at Wylam where visitors Stamfordham had reached 15-2, with both wickets taken by Otis Ridley.
In Division 6 West, hosts Riding Mill 2nd XI were put in to bat by their Wylam counterparts and had reached 60-1 after 16 overs when the match was abandoned.
The highlight was an opening stand of 51 between Dave Reay (14) and Lee Rogers (36 not out from 51 balls).
There were no weather problems last Wednesday night when a full programme of matches went ahead in the West Tyne Midweek League.
Haydon Bridge won by 92 runs at home to Belsay after posting an impressive total of 188-5 from the allotted 20 overs.
Their batting star was opener Ben Litchfield (101), with the final score boosted by 32 extras.
In reply, Belsay were restricted to 96-6 with Litchfield and Gavin Boyd both recording figures of 2-21 off four overs.
In a much closer contest, Humshaugh won by 12 runs at Corbridge.
Batting first after winning the toss, more than half of Humshaugh's total of 115-9 came from Jerome Parker (22) and 39 extras.
The pick of the Corbridge bowlers were Jake Wilson (3-15 off 4 overs) and Thomas Wood (3-20 off four overs).
Despite the best efforts of opener James Dollery (50 not out), the hosts were on 103-5 when the overs ran out with youngster Rowan Parker picking up three wickets.
In a one-sided affair at Stamfordham, visitors Newbrough slumped from 50-5 to 60 all out in 14.1 overs.
Most of the damage was done by George Devine (5-7 off 3.1 overs) and Craig Johnston (3-9 off four overs).
In reply, openers Joe Anderson (24) and Stephen Nicholson (23 not out) led the way as Stamfordham cruised to victory by seven wickets in only 8.3 overs.
Haltwhistle won by seven wickets at Stocksfield with only three balls remaining.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Stocksfield's main contributors in a challenging total of 127-7 were Richard Boschen (33), Ollie Newton (26) and No.9 Daniel Cole (21 not out), with Alfie Dodd and Ollie Birkett both picking up a brace of wickets.
In a well-timed run chase, valuable knocks from Stephen Marsh (38) and Archie Richardson (29) added 68 for the second wicket before an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 57 between Dan Connelly (28 not out) and Alfie Dodd (26 not out) saw the visitors across the line.
Tynedale's recent upturn in fortunes continued last Friday night with a thrilling win at Priors Flat in the North East Premier League 1st XI Salver Hundred Group E Round Robin tie against Newcastle.
Batting first after winning the toss, Daniel Hogg (86 from 53 balls) and Asher Hart (84 from 44 balls) shared an opening stand of 172 for Newcastle before the innings closed on 180-2.
Tom Cant was the most economical of the six bowlers used with figures of 1-25 from his 20 deliveries.
The early loss of Edward Foreman and Thomas Starr left Tynedale's reply in big trouble on 11-2 before they got back on track with a third wicket stand of 116 between Aaron Rourke (71 from 34 balls) and Tom Cant (61 from 38 balls).
Nathan Byerley (19 not out from five balls including three sixes) and Josh Wallace (12 not out from five balls) then guided them to victory with four balls to spare.
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