IT'S been a season of struggle for Ashington in the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League.

The Colliers became the latest victims of new leaders Sacriston at the weekend when they were the only club to squeeze a victory out of another weather blighted weekend.

Ashington had difficulty coping with the all-round skills of the Sacriston attack in which Kendal Ballard (3-16) and Ryan Moralee (3- 29) stood out. Set just 114 to win the home team didn’t pass up the chance and raced to an eight wicket success inside 17 overs.

Sacriston now have a golden opportunity to claim their first ever title and end Swalwell’s four-year domination of the league.

Leaders at the start of the day, Swalwell were in total control of their home game against Chopwell with the visitors standing on 129-9 after 41.1 overs before a premature end was called to proceedings. Nicky Phillips was once again the Swalwell cheerleader with a five wicket haul, only John Meadows (52) standing in the way of an earlier conclusion to the innings.

That wash out left Swalwell with just nine points to show for their effort.

The rest of the matches in the league tended to be ‘half-way houses’. Neil Killeen cracked an unbeaten 92 from 96 balls at Shotley Bridge, but with Annfield Plain standing on 169-5 after 40 overs the rain took over.

It was a similar story at Percy Main where they didn’t get out after tea. By that time Tynedale had posted 237-4, an opening partnership of 135 between Gary Hunter (70) and Dave Newton (62) the main feature.

There was a bit of controversy at Lanchester where the home team racked up 199-5 in a 32 overs per side match, Nathan Hudson starring with 91. Newcastle City were then 174-6 after 31 overs, but the umpires called time and a draw resulted, something that upset the home team as delays had been caused by the late arrival of the visitors for the match.