Sunderland fail to breach Castle

DUKES ECB NORTH EAST PREM LEAGUE

- By STEVE CLARKE

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

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.