Leadgate trip is Plain sailing for the leaders

NTCL DIV TWO/THREE

ANNFIELD Plain replaced Leadgate at the top of the Division Two table after they eased to a 162-run win over their promotion rivals.

David Baxter made 78 and Tyron White 65 before Plain were bowled out in the last over for 275. Jack Murray registered 4-37.

Leadgate were soon bowled out for only 113 in reply, Andrew Weightman (4-49) and Michael Hawden (3-32) doing the damage.

Bedlington moved to within four points of the leaders after they won at Cowgate by seven wickets.

Cowgate totalled 192-8, thanks mainly to 92 from Jaswinder Singh.

Bedlington lost three early wickets before Majid Ansari (80 not out) and Connor Leason (66 not out) safely steered them to 193-3 after 34 overs.

Fourth-placed Morpeth are now only 18 points off the leaders after beating visitors Tillside by 91 runs.

Sean Wales (3-44) and Dan Caddick (3-10) helped to bowl out Morpeth for 149.

Elliott Clark (6-12) and Cam Mackay (3-25) dismissed Tillside for only 58.

Ponteland moved out of the drop zone thanks to a 45-run success over Blyth.

The hosts amassed 232-6, Amritveer Punia unbeaten on 67.

Joe Boaden (5-54) and David Waters (4-51) combined to dismiss Blyth for 187.

Alnwick bowler Andy Tye claimed 5-11 at Bates Cottages, who mustered only 140.

Michael Brewis (66 not out) and Andrew Scott (44 not out) guided Alnwick to 143-3 in response.

Seaton Burn (216-7) overcame Greenside by 162 runs.

Greenside replied with only 54 as Andrew Wright ended with 4-15 and Andrew Anderson with 3-15. ■■A MAN-OF-THE-MATCH show by Chris Liddle kept Backworth’s Division Three title challenge on track with a 61-run home success against Benwell and Walbottle.

The hosts slumped to 43-7 before Mark Minto (43) shared a 99-run partnership with Chris Liddle.

Liddle blasted 17 fours and a six, finishing 119 not out as Backworth amassed 211-9.

Liddle then claimed 5-26 and, with Nathan Collins (3-42), helped bowl out their visitors for 150 in reply.

Backworth stay fifth but are only 20 points off the leaders.

Blue Flames become the latest side to top the table after they accounted for visitors GEMs by 46 runs.