Kimblesworth are back in pole position for the championship, having made their match in hand over rivals Esh Winning count in no uncertain terms.

With Esh having a free day, the new leaders romped to a ten-wicket win over bottom club, Langley Park, after dismissing them for just 73.

Nigel Darling (4-22) and Ryan Moralee (2-15) shared the honours with Stephen Meek (35 not out) and Paul Craig (34 not out).

Champions Kimblesworth, a point behind in the title race before the weekend, are now 19 points in front.

But Esh Winning are determined to resume the chase, having missed out on the title last season.

No other club is involved, with Tudhoe the next closest. They are 40 points adrift, despite winning at Hylton. They enjoyed a five-wicket victory in a high-scoring game in which Chris Rushworth (93), Adam Zanotti (55) and Chris Allan (50) all scored freely for Hylton, who reached 247-6. But this was a challenge Tudhoe enjoyed with Simon Davies batting throughout for 118 and a half century from Tim Smalley tipping the scales.

The performance of the day, though, came at Etherley, where Shikra Dharwan made a sensational unbeaten 215 out of 332-7. The Indian recently arrived as their new professional, and has now achieved the season's top individual performance. Visitors Mainsforth mustered 200-7 in reply but were never in the hunt.

Billy Teasdale made an unbeaten 105 for Evenwood at Willington, where they enjoyed a nine-wicket victory while Wilkin Mota (74 not out and 5-28) led Shildon Railway to a big win over Ushaw Moor. Lee Morton (6-34) grabbed star rating as Crook Town bowled out Brandon for 97 and went on to win by four wickets.