Craigs great all round in a Morpeth win

DIVISION TWO

MORPETH are the new leaders after they prevailed by three wickets at Bates Cottages.

Bates were bowled out for 171, opener Paul Merryweather contributing a fine 69.

James Craigs was the pick of the bowlers with 4-44.

In reply, James Sander hit 39 – but Morpeth were nervously placed on 129-6 before Craigs hit seven boundaries in a quick 32.

David Rutherford and Paul Wonders then steered Morpeth to 173-7 after 36 overs.

Bedlington suffered a second successive defeat, falling out of the promotion places after their two-wicket loss at Annfield Plain.

Bedlington totalled 179 after deciding to bat first, the score boosted by a late 38 by Darren Leason and Farhan Mohammed’s 28.

The hosts looked comfortable on 121-3 before Ruwan Sembukttige (3-73) and Nicky Douglas (3-48) led a fightback.

Plain eventually reached 183-8 with seven overs to spare.

Leadgate moved into second place after beating Greenside at home by 152 runs.

Lee Innes finished 111 not out (striking 18 fours and three sixes) while Harry Lovell’s 43 and James Radcliffe’s 40 helped Leadgate amass an impressive 304-4.

Lovell then claimed 5-26 as Greenside were dmismissed for 152 in reply.

Tillside triumphed at Blyth by 87 runs to continue their rise up the table.

Calum Bickerton ended up 90 not out, Law Atkinson hitting 52 as Tillside finished on 235-5. Andrew Ebdale took 3-49.

Blyth slumped to 41-5 before the lower order offered resistance.

David Ebdale top-scored with 29 as Blyth managed 148-9, leaving Cameron McGregor with 3-17.