Collins Back with a bang to seal win

NORTHUMBERLAND LG PREMIER DIVISION

BACKWORTH nearly slipped up in their potential banana-skin match with Corbridge - but eventually won by four wickets to keep up with the leaders.

The visitors, who have lost only once in their last eight matches, finished on 125-9 - David Smurthwaite top-scoring with 37 while Chris Liddle claimed 5-20.

The second-placed hosts slumped to 43-3 in response, Zubair Ahmed removing both openers before the players were forced off.

The over after the resumption saw Aaron Payne strike twice, making it worse for the hosts on 45-5.

However, Nathan Collins - in his first match in the first team for 12 months - produced a match-winning innings.

Another downpour caused a delay, but Collins quickly made sure of victory, moving Backworth on to 129-6.

He hit three fours and three sixes, finishing 67 not out, while Payne ended with figures of 3-25.

Leaders Blyth won at struggling Stobswood by seven wickets, pushing their hosts to the foot of the table.

Stobswood went off for rain on 23-1 and quickly slumped to 79-6 when play resumed in the reduced 47-over match.

Karl Dullaghan added a late unbeaten 34, pushing the Stobswood total up to 139-9 with Mark Lawrence finishing with 3-37.

Opener Darren Carr hit 32 before Andy Ebdale (39 not out) and Peter Roberts (31 not out) guided Blyth to 142-3 after 37 overs.

Stobswood are now level on points with Cramlington at the bottom, bonus points separating the sides.

Blue Flames’ hopes of the title took a blow as their home match with Berwick was timed out.

Mohsin Iqbal top-scored with 61 as the hosts were dismissed for 165. Steven Emery ended up with figures of 5-36.

Opener Scott Middlemist struck 43 and James Patterson 36 before the borders side ended on 126-8 when the cut-off time was reached with four overs remaining.

The Benton outfit now trail Blyth by 66 points, while Berwick are only nine points better off than the bottom two.

Cramlington moved off the bottom, but stay in the relegation zone after losing at GEMs by 156 runs.

Zhoaib Shahid finished unbeaten on 52 as the Chopwell side hit 202.

Aqueel Ahmed then claimed 7-29 as the visitors crashed to 46 all out.