The Readers Durham County League: Evenwood continue to set the pace and they made it eight wins out of nine defeating Brandon by seven wickets with almost six overs to spare.

Once again, it was Deighton Butler who led the charge for runs and he struck two sixes and 12 fours in an unbeaten 83, forming an unbroken match-winning partnership for the fourth wicket with John Maughan whose 48 not out included one six and seven fours.

When Brandon made first use of the wicket they were well served by Jim Allenby whose 67 included three sixes and six fours. Dean Card (69) and captain Steve Dunsford (33) then put together a useful stand for the third wicket, and a total of 216-6 was realised from the 45 overs.

There was an exciting conclusion to the game at Kimblesworth who had just one run in hand of Willington. Michael Fishwick and Stephen Meek both passed 30 opening for the home side and Adam Cochrane maintained his form contributing 47 to a total of 211-7.

After losing a couple of early wickets, Willington recovered through Darren Brown (50) and Chris Moore. Later, Mong added 40 but in the end, Willington failed to level the scores when Whitehead was run out with the total on 210-8.

Tudhoe were comfortable winners at Langley Park who were restricted to 128. More than half the runs came from Lee Wright with 68 while for Tudhoe, Chris Glasper and Coulthard both took three wickets.

Shahid Anwar opened with 78 and Anthony Timmis 46 as Tudhoe reached the formidable total of 234-8 in 45 overs.

Esh Winning had only seven runs to spare at home to Crook Town. Karl Turner struck four boundaries in 43 and professional Rakesh Dhurv one six and six fours in 45 as Esh reached 176-7. Dhurv made three early strikes when Crook replied but Stephen Ball held the innings together with 53.

Despite late contributions from Lee Morton and Neil Davis, Crook were just short at 169-8, Dhurv taking 4-26.

Sedgefield posted the highest score of the day, 250-7, before dismissing Shildon for 101. Malcolm Dickinson hit a six and 11 fours in an excellent unbeaten 106, Stefan Swanepoel made 63 and Martin Lower 46.

Despite an opening 30 by debutant Michael Thorpe, Shildon never threatened and only just made three figures before the innings ended after 38.2 overs.

Steve Brodrick was in excellent form with the ball for Sedgefield capturing five wickets for just 27 runs in 11.2 overs.

Teneto Willett was the matchwinner for Ushaw Moor at Mainsforth. He conceded just 33 runs in 11 overs claiming three wickets as the home side managed only 143 from 43 overs. David Fishburn top scored with seven fours in 54.

Willett then commanded Ushaw Moor's response ending unbeaten on 84 with two sixes and 12 boundaries as victory was achieved for the loss of just three wickets in 26 overs.