Local cricket round-up: Pair book place in semi-finals

Batting first after winning the toss, visitors Corbridge slipped to 19-3 and then 44-4 before a valuable knock from Jake Wilson (72 from 46 balls including six boundaries and five sixes) saw them close on 143-7 from the allotted 20 overs.

The pick of the bowlers was Ross Davies (3-19 off four overs).

In reply, the top five in the order for Hexham Leazes all recorded modest double figure scores headed by Ross Davies (26 not out) and, with the bonus of 32 extras, the victory target was reached off the fourth ball of the 18th over with four wickets in hand.

In the other semi-final, hosts Stamfordham also decided to bat first after winning the toss.

The highlights of their innings were a second-wicket partnership of 50 between opener Andy Smith (26) and No.3 James Carr (69) and a third-wicket stand of 79 between Carr and Ciaran Murphy (42 not out) before they closed on 157-3 from the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Newton recovered from the early loss of Ian Greensit with a second-wicket stand of 53 between Robert Benn (33) and Scott Richardson (82 not out from 42 balls) before Richardson and No.5 James Brown (24 not out) guided them across the line in the 18th over with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 81.

Newbrough will play Haltwhistle or Humshaugh in the O'Neill Richmonds West Tyne Midweek League Knockout Cup Final after winning a one-sided semi-final by eight wickets at Allendale last Wednesday night.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Allendale struggled from the outset with eight of the 11 players to the crease recording single figure scores before they were dismissed for 85 in 17.2 overs.

The wickets were shared between Poppy Forster (2), Thomas Jepson (2), Will Laidler (2), Tom Waugh (2) and Bertie Spence (1).

In reply, opener Seth Robbie and No.3 Graeme Robbie went cheaply before an unbroken third-wicket stand of 76 between Bertie Spence (29 not out) and Thomas Jepson (41 not out) saw Newbrough home off the first ball of the 15th over.

Both finals will take place at Tynedale CC on Sunday, August 16.

In Division Six West of the Northumberland and Tyneside League, leaders Newbrough are now 51pts ahead of third-placed Belsay following their latest win at home to Riding Mill.

The visitors were dismissed for 194 with Ben Scott, Will Laidler and Rohan Singh all taking two wickets, before in-form opener Bertie Spence (86 not out) and No.5 Martin Forster (67 not out) shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 137 to see Newbrough home with more than six overs to spare.

In Division Five South, Stamfordham are the new leaders following Annfield Plain's surprise defeat at home to Corbridge, while Newcastle Super Kings have replaced Stocksfield 2nd XI at the top of Division Four South after beating their promotion-chasing rivals by 151 runs.

Also in Division Four South, in-form Wylam recorded a sixth win in the last seven games at struggling Cowgate Sports. Alex Rayner (89) and No.5 Will Litchfield (45) were the main contributors in Wylam's total of 221 all out, before they dismissed the hosts for only 97.

In Division Three, Allendale recorded a fifth home win in a row against Greenside. Their batting star was Tim Raglan (131 not out from 96 balls including 9 boundaries and 9 sixes) and he received valuable late support from No.9 Ali Thirlwell (32 not out) before the innings closed on 243-7 from the allotted 50 overs.

In reply, Chris Fowler (45) top-scored for Greenside who were dismissed for 198 in the 45th over with Jake Reed, Jonny Wallace and Liam Pringle all picking up three wickets.

In Division Two, Corbridge continued their climb up the table with another home win against Lintz.

More than half of their total of 268 all out came from Jacques Du Toit (85) and skipper Corey Dover (70), with the pair adding 116 for the sixth wicket.

Du Toit has now scored 996 league runs this season at an average of 99.6.

In reply, Lintz were dismissed for 197 with most of the damage done by Connor Garrett-Jowsey (6-33 off 10.3 overs).