Khan leads the way as City continue to set pace

NEWCASTLE City maintained pole position in Division One with their third successive win.

Tillside travelled to Newcastle City and were put in to bat first by their opponents. Jake Birkett hit 77 from 51 balls, including five fours and seven sixes. With no other scorers of note, Tillside posted a meagre total of 135 all out from 31.5 overs. Hassan Raza posted bowling figures of 3-27 and Zohaib Khan took 3-34.

Newcastle City got off to a flying start, captain Omar Ahmed hitting 46 not out, including five fours and one six, and Zohaib Khan adding 64 not out, including 12 fours and one six, in their winning total of 139-3, achieved in 29.2 overs.

Annfield Plain played hosts to Swalwell and were all out for 174 in 45.1 overs. Shane Oliver top-scored with 61. Nicky Phillips (4-23) and John Meadows (3-46) were the pick of the bowlers.

Swalwell were confident of taking their third victory in consecutive weekends. Opener Joe Barber set them on their way with 38 and Chris Younger added 71 not out.

The weather was not on their side, though, and the game was abandoned with the visitors on 159-7. Consett were put in to bat first and reached 257-8 at home to Alnmouth & Lesbury, who had to settle for a share of the spoils as they were 59-3 when the game was abandoned.

Morpeth were at home to Stocksfield and the visitors chose to bat first. Stocksfield, looking for their first win of the season, were 149 all out. Steven Henderson hit 59, including five fours. William Archbold took 5-25.

Morpeth stepped up to bat, intent on crushing the visitors’ hopes of victory, but the match was abandoned after 26.5 overs, with Morpeth on 99-4.

Percy Main welcomed Ponteland. The visitors won the toss and elected to field.

Percy Main, without a win so far this season, were all out for 140 in 44.2 overs. Nick Dodds was their top scorer with 30 not out.

Ponteland bounced back to winning ways with a seven-wicket victory. Intisaar Fazal hit 35 and Ben O’Brien added 58 not out in their total of 143-3. Philip Cramman was the pick of the Percy Main bowlers with 2-33.