Champions Kimblesworth are back in pole position after leapfrogging Esh Winning, who have been among the early pacemakers.

The defeat of Esh at home by Evenwood and a massive win for Kimblesworth against Shildon produced the new leaders.

The only team with a 100 per cent record, Kimblesworth now enjoy a nine-point advantage and the luxury of a game in hand, having won all six matches comfortably.

Saturday's defeat of Shildon was by 231 runs. They amassed 310 for six with Stephen Meek (82), Craig (61) and Andy Cochrane (57) showing the depth in their batting and they bowled out the Railwaymen for 79 to underline the power of their attack.

Meek (4-27) led the attack, which also included a star rating for Nigel Darling (3-39).

Esh Winning's reverse was the result of a batting slump, which saw them bowled out for 88 against Evenwood's attack of Anubam Senclecha (5-29) and Billy Teesdale (4-30).

The game was evenly balanced when Evenwood managed 124 for nine with a top score of 69 from the Teesdale, who opens both the batting and bowling. Farookh Iqbal (4-20) had kept the home side in the game until the batting collapse.

Willington made third place their own after sharing with Shildon, even though they were held to a draw by Tudhoe. Rain ended the game with Tudhoe on 207 for five, within 46 runs of their target.

Crook enjoyed a smart win at Hylton, dismissing them for 85 after Hussain had top scored with 84 out of 183.

Shahbaz (7-24) also excelled for Crook as the home side were skittled out.

Ushaw Moor and Brandon were the day's other winners against bottom clubs, Mainsforth and Langley Park, respectively.

Mainsforth batted reasonably enough with a half-century from Brian Yearwood but then Ushaw Moor's steadier batting saw them through by four wickets. Six bowlers shared star billing for Brandon as they confined Langley Park to 114 and went on to win by three wickets largely due to an unbeaten 34 from Andrew Oreb.