Morpeth CC bolster title hopes as mammoth Warkworth CC innings sees off Alnwick CC

Morpeth CC edged out GEMS CC by just 13 runs in a top of the table clash to bolster their Northumberland and Tyneside League Division One title hopes over the weekend.

The current table-toppers hosted their third-placed rivals on Saturday afternoon, and had knocks of 72 from Michael Craigs and 49 from Sam Eyres to thank as they ran up a target of 238/8 across their 50 overs.

With the ball in hand, Craigs once again shone for Morpeth, recording a four-wicket haul as Kashif Mehmood led the way for the visitors, hitting a half century. Teammate Amir Khan also contributed admirably with a 45 of his own. Ultimately, however, Morpeth would get the job done with two overs remaining, dismissing GEMS for 225.

Elsewhere, an inspired 152 from Michael Phillips stole the show as Warkworth CC saw off Alnwick CC on Saturday.

Alnwick won the toss and elected to bat first, with captain James Crooks producing a stunning - and unbeaten - 111 of his own to fire his side to a final tally of 232. Michael Hall posed a constant threat for the visitors, taking four wickets as Alnwick were eventually removed with just two deliveries remaining.

From there, however, it was all about Phillips. The Warkworth skipper opened the batting for his team, and registered a mammoth 27 boundaries, including seven sixes, as he steadily reeled in Alnwick’s total. While the home side’s wickets stood firm, Alnwick did a commendable job of limiting their scoring - with Crooks and Joshua Wilson sharing eight maidens between them - but Warkworth dragged themselves to 233/2 in the 47th over.

And finally, an assured batting display from Alnmouth and Lesbury CC provided the platform for their six-wicket win over Ryton CC. Chalana De Silva and Brian Brooks each took three wickets as the visitors bowled their hosts out for 145, and from there, Alnmouth and Lesbury set about easing their way to victory.

An opening 42 from captain Ed Brunton set the tone, with solid scoring from the likes of De Silva, Archie Elder, and Tom Vickers ensuring that the away side ended the afternoon on 151/4 inside 36 overs.