The Readers Durham County League: Evenwood took a step towards retaining the championship when they saw off nearest rivals Kimblesworth in the match of the day.

They are now 29 points ahead but Kimblesworth have a game in hand and although it is now all to play for, defeat for Evenwood could have been fatal.

The home side though were on the defensive throughout and their total of only 118 was clearly vulnerable to Deighton Butler.

He did not let Evenwood down after going to the wicket when the first two batsmen managed only a single between them.

Together with John Maughan (22), he first steadied the innings and then took charge in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership with Neil Teasdale (27 not out).

Butler batted 91 minutes hitting a couple of sixes and eight boundaries in an unbeaten 59 securing victory for his side who batted just 28.2 overs.

Runs were sparse when Kimblesworth made first use of the wicket. Butler conceded just 27 runs in ten overs for three wickets, his opening partner in the attack, John Maughan, returned 3-49 from 12 overs and David Smith picked up a couple of wickets.

Esh Winning moved into third place ahead of Tudhoe who had a free day.

The four-man Esh attack in which Rakesh Dhurv claimed four wickets for only 26 runs reduced Langley Park to only 123 which included a top-scoring 30 by Brad Jose.

David Lawlor and Graham Hurst both contributed half centuries as Esh coasted to a six-wicket victory.

Brandon, with an eye on finishing in the top four, are fifth following their 53-run win at Shildon, who despite showing better form this season, have yet to taste success.

Jim Allenby (60) and Grant Falk (35) gave Brandon a platform on which a matchwinning total of 196-9 was built, despite Pearce (4-26) and Hiram Marambe (3-54) causing problems.

Michael Thorpe, previously with Brandon, raised his new team's hopes scoring 29 but the innings eventually petered out to 143 as Michael Tinkler claimed four wickets for 45 runs.

Ushaw Moor clinched victory by only five runs following an exciting finale to their game with Willington.

Teneto Willett (51) and Stephen Milburn (39 not out) led the home side to 179 assisted by no fewer than 39 extras.

Paul Chivers was the most successful bowler in the five-man visiting attack returning 4-32 and in reply Willington suffered two early blows before Gary Cummings (30) and young Chris Moore with 66 raised hopes.

The introduction of Stephen Hancock (5-43) into the attack, however, brought about a collapse and with Milburn taking 3-39, Willington fell just short of the target ending all out for 174.

Yasas Tillakaratne was Etherley's matchwinner at Mainsforth. He conceded only 25 runs taking three wickets but 73 by David Fishburn, who went in at number three after both openers had been run out, lifted the Mainsforth total to 162-8.

Tillakaratne then dominated Etherley's reply batting throughout for an unbeaten 76 leading his side to a six-wicket victory.

Stefan Swanepoel was another overseas player in top form as Sedgefield defeated Crook Town by 11 runs. His half century together with 69 not out from Malcolm Dickinson propelled Sedgefield to 207-8 and although Stephen Ball made 75, Crook were finally all out for only 196 following a close finish.

Martin Lower and Martin Jamieson each claimed three wickets as Sedgefield celebrated their fifth win of the season.