Bates suffer first defeat of the campaign

NORTHUMBERLAND AND TYNESIDE LEAGUE

THE perfect record of Bates Cottages came to an end in Group One as the Seaton Delaval outfit lost by three wickets to Division One side Morpeth.

The Division Two side had yet to drop a point but did not manage any batting points after being dismissed for 89 after 36 overs, Paul Elliott finishing with 3-4.

Sameer Haque (3-41) and Ross Symington (3-11) led a fightback before Morpeth reached 91-7.

Bates slipped to third while Morpeth stay second.

Last year’s champions Alnmouth and Lesbury secured a nine-wicket home success over Backworth to move to the top.

Ben Oliver (4-7) and Nick Robertson (3-25) helped to bowl out their visitors for only 72, the new leaders 76-1 in response.

Tillside beat Warkworth at home by five wickets, Warkworth posting 179-8 which was successfully chased down by the hosts as Liam Hindmarsh hit 71 and Jake Birkett ended unbeaten on 53.

■■ GROUP Two leaders Swalwell won at Percy Main by nine wickets, ending their hosts’ chances of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs.

Laurie Robson scored 48 in their total of 128-8 and then opener Andrew Smith (51 not out) and Chris Younger (52 not out) guided Swalwell to 130-1 after 22 overs.

Ponteland won at Blagdon Park by 42 runs to stay second.

Stuart Taylor blasted 84 and Intisaar Fazal 40 as Ponteland finished on 171-3 after their 37 overs.

David Waters then took 3-13 as the hosts slumped to 27-5 before eventually being removed for 129.

■■ IT is five wins out of five for Group Three leaders Tynedale after they thrashed Whickham by 10 wickets.

Matthew Rodger made 42 to lead a recovery for Whickham, who from 56-5 managed to total 131.

Sam Peter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-38.

Tom Cant hit ten boundaries and a six in his 74 not out – as did Daniel Parker in his unbeaten 52 – as Tynedale raced to 134-0.

An eight-wicket win for Stocksfield at Corbridge keeps them in second while Ryton kept their hopes alive with a six-wicket home victory over Lintz.

■■ THIRD division Blyth are back on top of Group Four after easing to a nine-wicket home success over Rock.

Berwick beat Alnmouth and Lesbury Seconds by 24 runs.