Rather surprisingly, Benwell Hill opted to bat on a grey, overcast morning that promised showers.
They got off to a comfortable start against Tynemouth's opening attack of South African Terence Davis-Taylor and skipper Andrew Smith.
Both batsme
n, Maiden and Nicholson, were quick to seize on anything short and the 50 was brought up in only the 12th over.
Davis-Taylor was a little unlucky to go cleanly past the outside of Maiden's bat on several occasions while Smith, who bowled a long ten over spell, had a couple of very close shouts for LBW against Nicholson.
As the bowlers found their range the scoring rate slowed and the pressure was kept up by David Hymers and Jamie Coates when the initial bowling changes were made.
Benwell Hill had progressed to 96-0 in the 26th over when the rain came for the first time, forcing the players to leave the field.
After a 25 minute break the players returned for 15 minutes, Tynemouth getting their first breakthrough when Davis-Taylor trapped Maiden in front LBW for 37.
Rain intervened again and forced the players off and delayed the restart after lunch.
When play finally got under way the game swung Tynemouth's way as four wickets fell in six overs.
Davis-Taylor had Nicholson caught down the leg side by keeper Hollins for 37 and bowled Dale for 0.
At the other end Borthwick bowled Thompson for five and had Khan caught by Young for 0.
Benwell Hill had slumped to 106–5 as the rain forced the players from the field.
One more session of play was possible and the Hill had moved onto 139-5 off 37 overs with Rutherford on 17 not out and 16-year-old Chambers on 15 not out.
The rain had the final say though as the downpour during the tea interval left puddles on the pitch that meant Tynemouth were denied the
opportunity of a 25 over run chase and a much needed win.
Davis-Taylor ended up with 3-59 and Borthwick 2-16.
The seven points kept Tynemouth in ninth place, 16 points from the relegation zone of the league.
On Saturday Newcastle visit Preston Avenue.
Tynemouth's Second Team hosted Benwell Hill and this fixture was cut even more short by the rain.
The Hill Seconds also batted first and they reached 105-4 with Phil Morse taking an impressive 3-39.
With Tynemouth on top and pressing, the rain washed out the prospects of any further play.
The Third Team had a much delayed start at Prior's Park but were entertained by a schools match which overlapped the intended match start time of 1pm, following morning rain.
After another heavy shower of rain, Tynemouth eventually started their innings at 2.40pm in a reduced 30 overs match.
However, the rains returned and brought proceedings to a final halt with Cramlington on 40-1 after 10 overs.
