NE Premier League: Youldon, Boatswain the heroes as Sunderland shoot down Castle Eden

The Ashbrooke men won the toss and elected to bat, with opener Greg Applegarth quick to capitalise, making 34 in a 47-run opening partnership with Dan Shurben (14).

Chris Youldon managed a fine half-century (57) in a 53-run pairing alongside Andrew Turns (19), before Zaheer Shahbaz (38) and Jonny Shurben (28) helped Sunderland declared on 230-8 after 53 overs.

Ryan Ball took 3-63 for Castle Eden, backed by Richard Ede (2-36).

Castle Eden endured a nightmare start, falling to 2-2 and 8-4, before Keith Bailey (45) and Liam Brown (43) got to score up to respectability on 138 all out, putting on 47 for the eighth wicket.

Quinton Boatswain stole the show for Sunderland’s attack, with 4-46 in 15 overs, supported by Shahbaz (3-31) and Elliot Smith (2-31).

Washington held on comfortably for a ‘losing’ draw at Burnopfield, who made 216-9 declared, batting first.

Scott Steel, with eight fours in 47, Callum Thorp (41, with six fours and a six) and Neil Killeen, with a 52-ball 50, with eight boundaries, led the hosts, backed by Daniel Hutton (23no).

Graeme Race show with the ball for Washington, taking 4-40 in 13 overs, while Mark Watson bagged 2-57.

Washington batted patiently in their reply, with Michael Nunn (16) and Stephen Cuthbertson (17) putting on 39 for the first wicket. They slipped to 53-4, but Matthew Corner (20), Joe Thompson (25no, off 111 balls) and Ash Thorpe (35no) guided the visitors to safety.

Steel capped a fine show for Burnopfield by taking 4-42.

Burnmoor fell just short of forcing a victory in a tight battle with Brandon in the match of the day.

Moor, who chose to bat, posted 218-9 in their 55 overs, inspired by 52 from Durham’s Gareth Harte, with five fours off 109 balls, and Paul Craig’s 50, with five fours and three sixes off just 37 balls.

The pair put on 75 for the third wicket. Allan Worthy (24), Marc Symington (19) and Riley Blunt (16) made useful additions, while Gordon Muchall grabbed 4-36. Durham’s Ryan Pringle took 2-41.

Karl Turner made his first real contribution of the season for Brandon with a fine 53 off 58 balls, with seven fours and a six, but they were hanging on for the draw, with 202-9, when the end came after 50 overs.

Pringle had five fours in 41, with Muchall adding 25 and Jordan Grosert 26. All seven Burnmoor bowlers took wickets, with Harry Munton grabbing 2-36 and Craig Symington 2-15.

Boldon endured a disappointing eight-wicket defeat to visitors Willington.

Only two batsmen reached double figures for the Sunderland Road side, who struggled to 92 all out in 37.3 overs.

Chris Ellison stroked seven boundaries in a 67-ball 40, while Nick Sampson-Barnes added 10.

First-change bowler Steven Alderson mopped up with 5-10 in 8.3 excellent overs, while James Stock had 4-26 in 15.

Willington eased to victory in 14 overs, finishing on 94-2 as Joe Emanuel hit nine fours in 41 and Jason Marshall had six fours and two sixes in 43.

Gateshead Fell dismissed Blaydon for 94 on the way to a convincing victory.