The weather’s the winner as rain forces numerous abandonments
In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, only one game survived the weather, as Burnopfield, who were 24 points from safety at the start of play, lost the toss and were asked to bat first at home to Felling.
Opener Ben Robinson was out from the first ball he faced, but they reached 37-1 after 10 overs.
Matthew Oswell then pushed the innings on and made a useful 45 runs from 51 balls, while opener John Oswell scored an important 53 from 50 balls, which included three sixes.
Mitchell Killeen then went second ball, as Paul Leonard got into his stride (2-34) following Harry Munton’s earlier spell of 2-33.
However, Jacques Du Toit then made an excellent and very important knock of 107 from 65 balls, which included six fours and nine sixes.
He put on 93 runs for the sixth wicket with Callum Brown, who then smashed 44 not out from 34 balls, which included seven fours, to get his side up to a very healthy score of 268-7 from their allocated 35 overs.
Felling then started well, as opener Alasdair Appleby opened his shoulders for 71 runs from 60 balls, which included eight fours and four sixes, while Alan Mustard added 29 as they put on 72 runs for the first wicket.
The rain then came when the visitors were on 1342, and the game had to be
abandoned with both teams claiming nine points, but at least the home side gained four points on the teams around them in the relegation battle.
In the title race, Burnmoor benefitted from the bad weather and still have a 30-point lead over secondplaced South Northumberland, with just three games remaining in the season.
The matches between Benwell Hill v Whitburn, Burnmoor v Chester-leStreet, Eppleton v Hetton Lyons, Sacriston v Washington and Tynemouth v South Northumberland were all abandoned due to rain.
In Dukes ECB North East Division One, the matches between Boldon v Ashington, Castle Eden v Lanchester, Gateshead Fell v Newcastle, Philadelphia v Shotley Bridge, Sunderland v Blaydon and Willington v Crook also fell victim to the weather.
In the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League, the matches between Esh Winning v Littletown, Marsden v Dawdon Welfare, South Shields v Brandon and Ushaw Moor v Bill Quay (who are relegated) were all abandoned. Seaham Park had no game this weekend.
In Division Two, one game got started, as Murton were 156 all out at Mainsforth.
Callum Salkald scored 55 of those runs, but Curtis Bihari with 3-24, Tom Orton’s 2-31 and 2-12 from Ryan Dawson, kept the visitors in check.
The home side were then rained off at 65-2, but they did glean 10 points from the match and are now just three points behind secondplaced Ryhope.
The matches between Horden v Ryhope, Evenwood v Seaham Harbour (who are promoted) and Tudhoe v Hunwick, were all abandoned as a result of the weather.