NE Premier League: Bell tolls for Chester as Whitburn squeeze home to two-wicket triumph in a thriller

Chester won the toss and chose to bat, with George Harrison (46, with 10 fours) and Andrew Smith (55, with nine fours and two sixes) putting n 96 for the second wicket.

Quentin Hughes added nine fours in an unbeaten, 79-ball 57, while Liam Simpson had five fours in 26, Liam Burgess had three fours and a six in his 26 and captain John Coxon made 20.

Kieran Waterson stole the show with 3-40 in 12 overs for Whitburn, while Craig Smith took 2-63 and Chris McBride 2-34 on his home debut.

The Villagers were indebted to Phillip Bell for a magnificent, 84-ball innings of 104 to inspire their victory, a memorable knock featuring 11 fours and six sixes.

But they had runs throughout the team as victory came in the 61st over, courtesy of Mark Elliott (17no) and Smith.

Jackson Edmondstone fired six fours and a six in his opening 35, from 70 balls, with McBride contributing a quick fire 25, with six boundaries, and Ross Carty 38 off 73 balls, with four fours.

Smith snatched 4-36 in nine overs for Chester, while Liam Simpson took 2-26. The other wickets fell to Burgess and John Harrison.

Sacriston squeezed home by a single wicket against Eppleton at Church Road.

Eppleton, put in to bat, put on 45 for the first wicket as Luke Henderson hit six fours in a 66-ball 33.

Joe Coyne added five fours in 26, with Dean Musther hitting three in 20 and Craig Scurr firing two fours and two sixes in a 27-ball 28.

But, despite Dom Stuart’s 13, with three boundaries, late on, they were all out for 159 in the 46th over.

Graeme Bridge had a day to savour, grabbing 5-24, supported by Callum Appleby (3-57) and Melvyn Betts (2-33).

Sacriston, whose opening match was washed out, were indebted to No 8 batsman Graham Hubber for the victory, as he hit four fours and three sixes in a 75-ball 52 to steer the visitors to the brink of success, with Appleby and Jack Keall seeing them over the line in the 56th over.

Opener James Thompson made 29 off 76 balls on his debut, with four fours, while Nathan Hall added five fours in an 18-ball 20.

Scurr snaffled 4-37 in vain for Eppleton, with Connor Whitelock taking 2-35, while Stuart, David Wilkinson and Coyne also struck.

Hetton Lyons, fresh from an opening-day derby win against Eppleton, were brought back down to earth by an 81-run reverse at Stockton.

Kevin Ward (55, with five fours) and Matthew Gill (41, with five fours and two sixes) inspired the Teessiders to 191-9 in 58 overs, with George Harding adding 34 off 44 balls.

Jonny Malkin was the star Hetton bowler, taking 5-50 in 15 overs, with Cameron Grimwood bagging 2-41, while Chris Ralston and Ben Whitehead also struck.

Malkin, though, was one of three of Lyons’ top five batsmen to be out without scoring in the visitors’ reply..

They slipped to 39-5 and never recovered, with Lyons eventually bowled out for 110 in 34 overs.

Chris Winn top-scored with five fours in 32, backed by Ralston (17) and opener Stuart Walker (15).

Jamie Harrison took 4-15 in 12 testing overs for Stockton, backed by three wickets apiece from Chris Hooker and Gill.

Felling held on for a draw on 108-9 after 54 overs against the Durham Academy.

The County youngsters chose to bat and declared on 186-9 after 56 overs.

Opener Ryan Davies had seven fours in a 26-ball 42, supported by Adam Ahmed (27, with three fours), Max Williamson (25, with three fours) and Sol Bell, who had three boundaries in a 52-ball 22. Faizan Hussain added 19, with four fours, while Matthew Oswell had two four in his 17.

Paul Leonard and Chris Nicholls both struck twice for Felling.

The visitors lost five wickets for 41 in a poor start, with Graham Wright (40, with three fours and a six) the top batsman, backed by Phil Mustard (17) and Craig Stephenson (16no), who guided Felling home to their draw after 54 overs.

Last man Anthony Trotter faced 51 balls in seeing out the draw.

Hussain picked up 3-21 in an excellent 15-over effort, with Williamson taking 2-18 and Ahmed 2-24. Bilal Baig and Luke Mussett also struck.

Jacques Du Toit blasted 124 off 84 balls to help Newcastle to a match-winning 283 all out against Tynemouth.

Oliver McGee added 55, with David Hymers taking 4-41 and Martin Lee Pollard 3-35.

Tynemouth were all out for 96 in reply, led by Mike Jones (30). Callum Harding snatched 4-17, with McGee taking 3-13.

Champions South Northumberland won by three wickets at Benwell Hill, who were bowled out for 169 when batting first.

Peter Halliday (37) top-scored for Hill as Sean Tindale (3-48) and Lee Crozier (3-20) shone with the ball.

Adam Cragg (54no) and Durham’s Liam Trevaskis (47) got South North home in the 46th over, with Jacques Snyman taking 2-23 in 13 overs.