Bridge Ryt on course to press Swalwell
NORTHUMBERLAND AND TYNESIDE SENIOR LEAGUE
SHOTLEY Bridge are still second following a narrow 29-run win at home to Ryton.
The home side won the toss and decided to bat first - but were soon in trouble after opening bursts of bowling from David Howorth and Saleem Akhtar left them reeling at 27-3 and 85-6.
Mick Allen rescued the situation with seven fours in his knock of 37 and Ross Andrews then smashed 43 off just 36 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Lewis Hall also contributed a useful 26 runs.
These efforts pushed the score up to 154 all out off 47 overs despite Ben Perry cleaning up the tail with 3-8.
In reply, Ryton were soon in bother at 41-6, thanks to exceptional opening bowling from Stuart Graham, who took 3-39, and Mick Allen (3-35).
However, Howorth made a game of it by scoring 49 off 72 balls in a partnership worth 56 with Akhtar (22) before he was out - and then the game was over following two run-outs.
The win means Shotley are now just 14 points behind leaders Swalwell.
Shotley secretary David Milburn is pleased with the season so far and said: “We are doing well and the game on Saturday was certainly one of two halves as the game could easily have gone either way.
“We are in a good position with crunch games to come soon - but they are all tough games in this league.
“Overall, the club are doing well from top to bottom and we are pleased with the season so far.”
Swalwell, meanwhile, comfortably defeated Leadgate by eight wickets.
Batting first, the Consett side was restricted to 103-9, Ross Sinclair claiming 5-23.
Chris Hewison ended up 65 not out as the Gateshead outfit amassed 104-2 in response.
Consett made a respectable 225 against Percy Main, Kamran Mansoor with a superb 135.
Seamer Dan Milligan then claimed 4-8 as Main collapsed to 100 all out.
Ashington were 28-run victors against Tynedale despite 134 from Dale skipper Tom Cant.