Three successive victories have moved Ushaw Moor into second place in spectacular fashion to challenge leaders Kimblesworth for the championship.
But they'll need to maintain their new-found form to fight off the challenge of the ambitions of Esh Winning and Willington, who they have passed on their way towards the top.
Ushaw added Langley Park to their list of scalps but they didn't have things all their own way. Even though their visitors were bowled out for only 114 with Stephen Milburn (4-33) and professional, Omesh Wijisiriwardene (3-19) producing an especially effective partnership, the Moor's batting was under pressure at times to Simon Huscroft (5-21). They lost six wickets reaching their target largely due to a second wicket stand between Michael Thorpe (35) and Craig Usher (27).
Ushaw were also helped by Willington's loss to Esh Winning. Willington, in second place before the match, looked capable of another win when Andrew Bowman (63) and Chris Moore (61) gave them a clear advantage in reaching 195-7. But Carmedy (56), Farookh Iqbal (55) and Lawler (43) had other ideas and they got home with three wickets in hand.
Kimblesworth's supremacy continued when they won their eighth successive match, the only team with a 100 per cent record. Crook Town had little answer to the all-round power of the leaders who reached 296-5 before disposing of their opponents for 127. Aussie Aron Andrich and Lee Wright both made centuries and shared in a fifth wicket stand of almost 200 after Andy Cochrane had impressed again with a half century.
Moralee turned up the heat with four wickets to have Crook struggling. Only a tail-wagging effort by Robinson, who shared the top score of 34, took them into three figures.
Shildon made the most of playing bottom club, Etherley who they bowled out for 67 with Chris Sawyer (6-22) the match winner. Wilkin Mota who took two of the other wickets and top scored with an unbeaten 40 as the Railwaymen won by eight wickets.
Evenwood lost by a similar margin at Hylton after being dismissed for 97, with Owen Williamson (5-23) and Chris Rushworth (3-15) in form.
Tudhoe got back to winning ways at Brandon.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article