Big record stand just agony for Ashington
NORTHUMBERLAND LG
BACKWORTH thrashed Ashington Rugby, breaking records along the way, as they eased to a 224-run victory.
The visitors put Backworth into bat and watched as they amassed 341-0.
Alan Robson made 169 not out while Ben Sutton finished unbeaten on 144.
Robson hit 15 fours and three sixes off 149 balls while Sutton smashed 16 fours and three sixes from 152 balls.
The pair broke the records for the highest opening partnership (303) and also the highest partnership (324) for any wicket.
James Morgan, in his first match back, took 3-20 with two wickets apiece for Chris Liddle, Mark Minto and Scott Shannon as they bowled out Ashington Rugby for 117 in reply.
Blyth’s lead at the top is down to 21 after dropping points in their four-wicket success at Warkworth.
Will Asher (4-56), Mark Lawrence (3-26) and Andy Ebdale (3-41) bowled out Warkworth for just 170, Keith Douglas top-scoring with 47.
Opener Andy Clark gave Blyth a solid start by hitting 64.
Craig Smith (28 not out) saw them home after Martin Clark led a fightback, claiming 4-45 as Blyth reached 172-6 - leaving Warkworth propping up the table.
GEMs beat Blagdon Park by 38 runs to move up to third.
Amir Mukhtar (82), Javed Mirza (60) and Zhoaib Shahid (59) helped the Chopwell side to 266-9.
David Gibson top-scored with 40 but after the last wicket put on 50 Blagdon Park were still short, managing 228.
A mid-order batting collapse saw Blue Flames fall short, losing by 32 runs at Whickham.
Jeff Bowman scored a valuable 80 as the hosts finished on 226-8.
Replying, Ijaz Ahmed (33) and Muhammad Rehan (44) put Blue Flames in a good position before the middle order fell away.
From 81-2 they collapsed to 122-6 before Richard Chapman reached 32 and tailender Mirza Balal Baig finished unbeaten on 22.
Joshua Warner finished 5-59 as Blue Flames were all out for 194.
Cramlington comfortably prevailed by 116 runs at home against Stobswood.
Paul Bramley top-scored with 42 as the hosts posted 172-8.
Ian Black (5-10) and Allan Livingstone (4-20) combined to bowl out Stobswood for a meagre 56 in reply.
Berwick moved off the bottom after securing their second win of the season by 12 runs.
The hosts defended their total of 143 by dismissing Corbridge for only 131 in reply.