Burnmoor remain favourites to win the championship for the third time in six seasons after staying 13 points ahead of challengers Whitburn.

Whitburn recorded their 11th win against Eppleton but the leaders, who defeated Hetton Lyons, know that one last victory will give them the title.

Burnmoor posted 220-5 with Martin Thursfield (59 not out) and Brett Pelser (41) in form, and despite 88 from Ryan Pringle, Hetton floundered against the bowling of Ian Conn (4-37) and Gary Brown (4-55). They fell short by 63 runs.

Whitburn's Ashley Thorpe devastated the Eppleton attack with an unbeaten 139 to reach maximum batting points on 225-5, then grabbed four wickets. Kyle Davis (60) did his best to inspire Eppleton but they fell 69 runs short.

At the bottom Felling and Seaham Harbour can't be separated. Felling (127-8) held third-placed Boldon (168 all out) while Seaham had a similar fight to hold out at Durham City.

David Leslie (73) provided excellent resistance after City posted 240-8 with Mike Elliott (71) and Corey Verco (55) the pick. Seaham, with two wickets still standing, finished with 156.

There was a feast of runs at Horden, where Philadelphia were just short of 300 with a century from teenager Michael Walker and 72 from Marc Hopkinson. In Horden's reply, Stephen McCoy (84), Graham Smith (58) and Dale Laverick (40) contributed to reach 245-6, with Phili using ten bowlers.

South Hetton were the day's other winners with David Wilkinson (7-42) dismissing Marsden for just 85 runs.

In the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Tynedale slipped from top spot and have two matches to catch new leaders, Leadgate and second-placed Swalwell.

Tynedale lost surprisingly to relegation-haunted Annfield Plain, whose victory by eight wickets brought renewed hope they could avoid the drop.

Rehan Rafique (90 not out) and David Maughan (70) powered the Plain to success after Tynedale reached 193 thanks to Scott Kay (58) and Richard Darling (50).

Leadgate's return to the top came with an 81-run defeat of Morpeth, who are now in the bottom two, while Swalwell pounced with a 164-run victory over already doomed Percy Main.

Ian Pattison entertained with a tremendous 143, including 16 fours and five sixes, for Swalwell and with John Craigs making 51 with ten boundaries and Lloyd Anderson getting 45 they posted 300 and then declared. David Rutherford (4-48) and M Peart (3-17) put an early end to Percy Main's resistance.

The day's top knock came from Anarud Singh, who smashed an unbeaten 164 for Benwell and Walbottle against Lintz. He then took three wickets to surprise their highly-rated opponents who couldn't prevent a defeat.

Sacriston won against Shotley Bridge with Paul Burn (4-36) and Martin Hubber (3-43) among the wickets while Newcastle City fell an agonising two runs short of beating Ashington, who set them a target of 197. A half-century for Mark Wood and four wickets for Stephen Boyd were the highlights of Ashington's win