Form of victorious Hill is just three-mendous!
DUKES N/EAST PREM LG
BENWELL Hill have now won their first three league games, continuing their good form at home to South Shields with a seven-wicket victory.
They now have a three-point lead over South North, who also secured their third victory in a row - by seven wickets at home to Whitburn.
South Shields won the toss and decided to have a bat - and posted a decent total of 197-6, Salman Ahmed scoring 76 and Christopher Dorothy 40.
Anthony Hunter was the pick of the Benwell bowling, returning figures of 5-56.
When the Hill batted, at 32-2 and 64-3 the result was in the balance but a brilliant fourth-wicket partnership of 136 between Sameet Brar (80no) and skipper Kyle Coetzer (69 no) eventually saw them home by seven wickets.
Hill’s fixture secretary Fenwick Marley said: “We are very pleased with the start we have had.
“It is early days and we cannot do anymore than we are at present.
“I know it is a cliché but we will take every game as it comes as there are quality players in every team in this division.”
Fenwick added: “Our new signings have settled in quickly and we have maintained our strong links with Scotland through skipper Kyle Coetzer.
“They utilise our facilities and even help out with coaching drills with our younger players.
“That is brilliant for our club and Kyle also has a great input to the club as a coach.”
Tynemouth celebrated their first win of the season, over Felling by seven wickets.
Felling batted first and made just 77 with David Hymers taking 8-33 off 15 overs, including five maidens.
Sam Dinning then hit 34 to see his side home by three wickets as they reached 79-3 off 23.3 overs.
Newcastle amassed 254-6 at home to Hetton Lyons - Sean Tindale hitting an excellent century (108no) off 136 balls and skipper Jacques Do Toit chipping in with 37.
The Lyons held on for the draw as the Newcastle bowlers had them in trouble at 93-6 - but they ended with 137-7 with opener Jonathan Malkin 56 not out at the end.
Chester-le-Street returned to winning ways with a crushing 99-run verdict over Eppleton.
The Cestrians batted first and made 197-7, opener Kyle Davis hitting 68 and Craig Scurr and Joseph Coyne each taking three wickets apiece.
Eppleton only made 98 despite Jandre Erasmus thumping 46 batting at nine.
Adam Hickey was the pick of the Cestrians’ bowlers with 4-39.
Durham Academy amassed 194-8 against Stockton - opener Ross Greenwell hitting 74.
The Teessiders reached their target for the loss of six wickets thanks largely to Ryan Wallace’s 80.