Sunderland fail to breach Castle

SUNDERLAND struggled at home to Castle Eden. After a moderate start (Greg Applegarth 31 and Shamsur Oraikhil 32) they slumped to 94-5.

- By STEVE CLARKE

Jonathan Malkin then claimed 5-24 and they were all out for 140. The visitors lost a couple of early wickets, but John Spellman (50no) and JP Meade (53 no) ensured victory on 141-3.

Ashington took first knock at home to Chester-le-Street, with Alexander Charnley making 54 and Avishka Perera 65. Liam Simpson claimed 5-31 in a final total of 193-9.

The Cestrians started their run chase well, as Jacob McCann scored 37 and Matthew Cranston 36, but they fell away to the draw at 136-7 once Daniel Gardiner and Charlie Harmison took three wickets apiece.

Burnmoor had opener Ross Greenwell make 41 runs at home to Newcastle. Stuart Poynter blasted 101 not out from 91 balls in a final total of 248-6 declared, with Joshua Stirling claiming 4-64.

The visitors had Waqar Maqsood strike early blows (3-55) and they struggled to 101-5, but Bobby Green made 51 and Tom Fletcher nearly won the game with a fiery 80 runs, but they fell just short on 246-8.