REIGNING champions Tillside were fixture free on Saturday due to the odd number of teams now operating in the league but such is their current lead that it made only a marginal difference at the top.
Second-placed Wooler reduced the gap with a four-wicket win over Berwick but still trail Tillside by a massive 26pts.
Wooler's victory also came at a price with Ian Clarke, one of their main batsmen, retiring with a torn calf muscle – an injury w
hich could keep him out of action for possibly a few weeks.
He had scored 33 at the time but a steady innings of 46 by Andrew Aitchison saw Wooler comfortably home at 147 for six in reply to Berwick's 146 for five.
An entertaining game at Shilbottle saw the home side beat visitors Warkworth by 22 runs.
Barry Inglis top-scored with 50 in Shilbottle's total of 195 for seven in their allotted 45 overs, Mark Spoors taking the bowling honours with four for 26.
Warkworth's bid for victory virtually ended with the departure of Chris Kirtley, caught at point after a battling 74. The visitors were eventually all out for 173, Alan Straker claiming four for 26.
Phil Dunkley, with an unbeaten 112 out of a total of 155, was Kelso's match-winner against Howick who were dismissed for 102 in reply.
Warenford were comfortable seven-wicket winners against Red Row, Michael Thompson doing the damage with six for 39 in Red Row's innings of 125. Kevin Thompson (31), Gordon Stephenson (47 not out) and Ian Rogerson (27 not out) all made useful contributions in Warenford's reply of 126 for three.
Embleton pushed the scoreboard along to the tune of 231 for seven against Alnmouth and Lesbury with Ron Turnbull (57), Paul Carss (49) and John Wilkin (31 not out) the top run-makers.
Wilkin then claimed four for 31 as the home side were all out for 98.
Johnnie Johnson Alnwick and District League resultsRed Row 125 (M Thompson 6-39) Warenford 126-3 (K Thompson 31, G Stephenson 47no).
Shilbottle 195-6 (B Inglis 50, B Brooks 31, P Fairgrieve 31, M Spoors 4-26) Warkworth 173 (C Kirtley 74. A Straker 4-26, B Brooks 3-28).
Berwick 146-5 (C Keenan 41, G Bird 39, M McLean 3-47) Wooler 147-6 (A Aitchison 46no, I Clarke 33 retired hurt).
Kelso 155 (P Dunkley 112no) Howick 102.
Embleton 231-7 (R Turnbull 57, P Carss 49, J Wilkin 31no, R Parr 4-61) Alnmouth and Lesbury 98 (J Wilkin 4-31).
Mitford 135 (A Davies 37, R Dodds 3-48) Rock 102 (M Williams 46).
The full article contains 451 words and appears in Northumberland Gazette newspaper.
