Ratcatchers maintain top form while Civil Service seal first win

N/EAST MIDWEEK LEAGUE

RATCATCHERS triumphed again against Corinthians to emerge as clear leaders in Division One.

There was a first win for Civil Service, who hit 142-6 to overhaul 141-6 by Blue Flames in the final over.

Kirkwood dismissed the NE Tamils for 53 after posting 118-8.

Mukhtar Hussain ended the game with an all-bowled hat-trick after Amjad Ali took 3-19 and Abtasham Mahmood 4-19.

In Division Two, Northern Rangers peppered the boundary to record 188-5, Ashraf making 76 and Adil 68 and then limited Genetics to 116-6 despite 38 from Jonny Bennett. Cramlington prevailed by nine wickets after Merz and McLellan posted 115-5 courtesy of 44 from Roy Haygarth.

K Taylor contributed 62 not out and Brian Pullman 51 not out to keep Crammy in second place behind North Star.

There was a big win for Percy Main, who reached 150-3 with 68 not out from Anthony Hornby - opponents West End then dismissed for just 60 with Cameron Walker claiming good figures of 4-20.

Sparta are clear leaders in Division Three after a comfortable victory against High Stables.

Whitley Bay are second after beating Bates Cottages.

Roseworth Bulls head Division Four following a close win over BelMontE with SSB in second place following their defeat of Hexham Leazes. ■■IN the Just Sport Cup, Oceans posted 182-5 - with 73 from Majid Ansari - to beat Ratcatchers, who replied with 149-7.

Oceans now face a semi-final tie with Northern Rangers.

Kirkwood totalled 124-7 thanks to 39 from Mukhtar Hussain to ease past North Star and earn a semi-final tie with West End or Matrics Barbarians.

Jaswinder Singh recorded figures of3-16 with three catches for wicketkeeper Amrit Crawford. ■■MERZ and McLellan won their Paddlers Plate quarter-final with 196-3 - Andy Robson striking 75 and Ben O’Brien 63 - to beat High Stables, who replied with 131-1 made up of 78 not out by Dan Keegan.