THE first century makers of the new season produced the top talking points as the sun made batting conditions ideal in the Warmseal Durham Senior League.

Bobby Steel smashed an unbeaten 124 from the Felling bowlers on his debut with Philadelphia, while Adrian Hedley hit the Marsden attack for 112 to provide Horden with one of the highest team totals of the day and Neil Mulvaney made a splendid 104 for Eppleton at the Durham City ground.

None of their teams were able to press home their run scoring advantages with Marsden hanging on for extra points with nine wickets down despite the bowling excellence of Adam Dixon (5-15). After Steel’s glorious knock left Phili on 243-3, Felling lost only four wickets in reply but were 85 runs behind at the close.

Eppleton maintained their position as the early league leaders but now have Whitburn breathing down their necks. After being frustrated on the opening day, they romped to a nine- wicket win at South Hetton to move into second place.

Despite an injury to opening batsman, Paul Shields, who was forced to retire hurt on 10, Lindsay Cullen (77 not out) and Neil Ayre (47) shared a century stand as they took the home side’s attack apart.

Burnmoor, tipped for their third successive championship, will have to step up a gear after being held to a draw for a second week. Jimmy Daley hit a near-perfect 84 as his side reached 175- 7, but Seaham Harbour were only 41 runs behind at the close with four wickets in hand after an excellent knock by Neil McKinney (72 not out).

Late arriving Usman Arshad took no time to help himself to a century and lead Ushaw Moor to their first victory in the Readers Durham County League. The Pakistan professional, held up like so many by visa delays, landed in time to get to Hylton where he scored a delightful unbeaten 115 for Moor to record a nine-wicket win.

Without him on the opening day the whole team were bowled out for less than a hundred.

Kimblesworth and Shildon took over at the top of the league following defeats for Esh Winning, Etherley and Mainsforth. It was the Railwaymen who beat Mainsforth, one of the five leaders after the opening weekend. Half centuries for Martin Ferguson and Shaun Bradbury clinched a six wicket success for Shildon after Tim Garbutt (6-42) hit form.