Readers Durham County League: EVENWOOD still command a useful lead at the top after defeating Esh Winning.

Esh were a potential threat in third position before the start of play, but any lingering hopes are now at an end.

A four-man attack had Esh back in the pavilion for 98 and although there were early successes for the visitors' bowlers, Deighton Butler and John Maughan steered their side to victory.

Butler struck four sixes and six boundaries in an unbeaten 53 sharing an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership with John Maughan (22 not out).

Second-top Kimblesworth made the highest score of the day, 265-7 before reducing visitors Etherley to only 122.

Adam Cochrane and his twin brother Lloyd added 150 for the third wicket. The former struck five sixes and 10 boundaries in 110 and Lloyd had three sixes and seven fours out of 74.

Gavin Swan then ripped the heart out of the Etherley innings when, in an incredible spell, he captured five wickets for one run in 16 deliveries. Despite a half century by Yasas Tillakaratne, Etherley never threatened as Swan ended with figures of 5-33 in 12 overs and Nigel Darling 4-62.

Tudhoe moved back into third position and still harbour hopes of pipping Kimblesworth for the runners-up place. Despite scoring 230 at Shildon though, they had only 18 runs to spare.

Michael Thorpe opened with 49, Hiram Marambe added 32 and Lee Douthwaite 41 as Shildon belied their lowly position. Chris Glasper restricted the home side, claiming three late wickets to finish with the creditable analysis of 5-31.

When they batted first Tudhoe again had Simon Davies in form and his 61 together with 39 by Adam Stocker and 38 from David Ronson propelled Tudhoe to 230-8.

Jaco Mong hit form with bat and ball in Willington's big win at Sedgefield who were without Stefan Swaneopol. Mong made 36 and Karl Brown 37 as the visitors posted almost 200 despite Martin Lower claiming four wickets.

Mong then went to work with the ball, returning 5-32 in ten overs and Paul Chivers and Gary Cummings shared the other five wickets as Sedgefield made only 101.

Brandon failed to make three figures in their game at Mainsforth who enjoyed a seven-wicket victory. David Thompson and Robert Chismon took three wickets apiece before John Cavanagh ended unbeaten on 34 for Mainsforth.

Langley Park realised 128 from 35 overs at home to Crook Town. Danny Wilkinson opened the innings with 39 and promising junior Greg Coates contributed 36.

Crook then eased their way to a five-wicket victory in 40 overs.