Colliers keep up pressure
ASHINGTON are trying their very best to defend their Division A1 title and another win – their ninth of the season – came with a 34-run success over Lanchester at Langwell Crescent.
They are still in championship contention but the gap to leaders Swalwell is now 43 points with eight games left of the season.
Ashington lost the toss and were asked to bat first and made 128 all out – but it could have been worse.
Lanchester’s opening bowlers tore apart the batting.
Arran Halliday took 2-34 and Greg Halliday returned an excellent 5-37, reducing the home side to 36-4 and 80-8 – with only Sean McCafferty resisting with 33.
However, a vital 17 from James Harmison and a pivotal 30 runs from No 10 batsman Paul Rutherford, who smashed his runs off 33 balls with five fours and a six, helped his side to a respectable total.
When Lanchester batted, openers Mark Small and Graham Brinton were back in the dressing room with only 13 on the board.
Sam Crooks went soon afterwards and they just kept losing wickets regularly, Callum Storey taking 3-26 and Matthew Collins 2-17.
Harry Lovell scored an excellent 50 off 81 balls, including three fours and a six.
However, as soon as he reached his 50, Rutherford (3-7) had him stumped by wicketkeeper Daniel Grant and the game was over, Lanchester 94 all out.
Lanchester’s fixture secretary Bob Gardiner said: “There were some rainaffected wickets around the area at the weekend but we should have applied ourselves and batted better than we did.”
Swalwell saw off Consett’s challenge by six wickets.
The leaders bowled out Consett for just 100 and replied with 101-4.
Shotley Bridge defeated Leadgate by four wickets while Lintz accounted for Tynedale by eight wickets.