The scoring rate then dropped as Chris Wilkie and Terry Finchen established themselves.

Wilkie eventually flourished at one end but wickets fell regularly at the other as Backworth slipped to 120 for eight.

This brought debutant junior Nathan Collins to the crease and he defended his wicket stubbornly as Wilkie farmed the strike and set about building a useful total.

Collins continued to frustrate the bowlers and, despite scoring only eight runs, helped create a new club ninth wicket partnership record of 65 before being trapped lbw.

The innings closed after on 186, leaving Wilkie stranded on a total of 94 not out.

Adam Black again picked up an early wicket by bowling Ealey and Ian Stubbs had the other opener caught at mid off by Brendan Spencer.

Morgan and Taylor seemed to move the game Ponteland's way but Black returned to bowl both.

Wright held one end and kept Ponteland up with the run rate with some smart running between the wickets but Steve Black picked up two wickets to keep the game finely poised.

However, Collins had the final influence on the game, producing two accurate throws to obtain the last two wickets through run outs to cap a memorable debut and complete victory by a single run.

Backworth fielded a much weakened second team and were no match for Ponteland.

Although Stephen Richardson bowled well to take three for 69 this did not prevent Ponteland reaching 266 for seven against what was predominantly a junior bowling attack.

For Backworth only Scott Shannon reached double figures in a disappointing reply of 46.