Reader's Durham County League: Evenwood conceded the last unbeaten record when they went down to arch rivals Tudhoe by two wickets yesterday. Their lead at the top is now just two points.

Andy Poole's unbeaten 35 was the best which Evenwood produced in a total of 168- 6 before Shahid Anwar set Tudhoe on the way to a crucial victory opening with 78.

Tudhoe had just seven balls to spare when they secured their ninth win in 11 attempts.

Kimblesworth are third despite losing by two wickets to Ushaw Moor for whom Teneto Willett scored 106 in a total of 156-8. Gavin Swan struck a half century before being run out as Kimblesworth totalled 155-4 batting first.

Willington suffered their fourth defeat, losing a low scoring game at Esh Winning by six wickets, where they stumbled to 87-9. David Lawlor's opening 37 and an unbeaten 27 by Graham Hirst steered Esh home.

Mainsforth too found run-making difficult on a rain-affected wicket and, when Clark took 5-24, they were back in the pavilion for 103. Sedgefield lost six wickets before securing the points.

Evenwood were involved in their second tied game of the season on Saturday and once again Deighton Butler was the man of the hour.

There is never a dull moment when he is at the wicket and he came up trumps when Willington appeared to have won the match.

With only 10 of the restricted 30 overs remaining, Evenwood still needed 84 with six wickets left. No fewer than 22 runs were still required from the final over but Butler kept his side in the game with two successive sixes.

He failed to score from the third ball before hitting the fourth delivery over the line for another six. Andy Poole was then out but Butler managed two off the last ball.

He ended unbeaten on 58 and earlier opener Chris Peareth contributed 38 to the eventual total of 153 for five. Jaco Mong (38) and Carl Brown, with 41 not out, were the leading runmakers in the Willington total of 153 for six.

Tudhoe moved into second position, defeating Kimblesworth by five wickets.

Each side were allocated 36 overs following a delayed start and Kimblesworth were all out for 131 which included 62 from 92 deliveries by Stephen Meek.

Shahid Anwar bowled an economical 10 overs taking three wickets for 19 runs and Tim Smalley took three for 33 from 9.4 overs before Tudhoe won with half their wickets and 3.3 overs remaining.

Simon Davies was their matchwinner with the bat, contributing 56 from 95 balls.

Langley Park won for only the second time when they had 60 runs to spare at Ushaw Moor.

Four players, Brad Jose, Lee Wright, David Wilkinson and Andy Grey, all passed 30 leading Langley to the useful total of 183 for six. When Simon Huscroft claimed the wicket of Teneto Willett, the visitors sensed victory and although Stephen Milburn held them up contributing 35, the innings only produced a total of 123.

Ryan Moralee had an outstanding game in the Langley Park attack capturing five for 10.