Shildon posted the formidable total of 143 for one when they entertained Etherley. Daniel Henderson was in outstanding form and he struck 11 boundaries out of an unbeaten 73. Shane Rowley gave support and his 38 not out included six fours while Christopher Tweddle had three boundaries in 21.

Replying, Etherley finished with 101 for five on the board. Lyall was another batsman among the runs and he had no fewer than 11 boundaries out of 68. Rowley returned two for 25 and Stephen Young two for 19, the two youngsters both sending down five overs in the Shildon attack.

Esh Winning were just one run behind Shildon in the scoring stakes. They totaled 142 for three at Washington who responded with 116 for four. Paul Shaw carried his bat for 65 and Andrew Wilson made 39 for Esh while in the home attack, Talber took two of the three wickets to go down for 41 runs. When they replied, Washington had Cuthbertson in good form and he ended unbeaten on 55 while Shaw followed up his performance with the bat by taking two wickets at a cost of just 21 runs.

After restricting Crook Town to 73 for four, Willington won but not before they had lost eight wickets. Their match winner with the bat was Alderson who ended unbeaten on 40 while for Crook, Lee Formosa captured four for six in five overs and Nick Dalton also bowled five overs capturing four for 18 runs.

Shildon were easy winners at Mainsforth. After making 100 for they dismissed the home side for just 38 while Evenwood lost by just three runs on their visit to Tudhoe. Faced with a target of 72, Evenwood managed only 68 for eight which included 35 by Ryan Nicholson, with six boundaries. Daniel Petts returned four for 13 in five overs, bowling one maiden in the Tudhoe attack.

When Tudhoe batted first they were indebted to Petts and James Forcett who added 58 for the fifth wicket. Petts, who was out to the last ball of the innings for 28, found the boundary line three occasions and Forcett had one six and two fours carrying his bat for 23.

The Readers Durham County League U18s

Tim Smalley and Curry both scored half centuries when Crook Town posted the formidable total of 148 for four at Crook. Smalley ended with 50 while Curry carried his bat for 52 presenting Crook with a big target which they never looked like achieving.

Haughton had nine wickets to spare at Newton Aycliffe who were pegged to 70 for six. Buxton with two for 13, was the most productive bowler for Haughton who were then well served by Ripley (38) and Bean, who ended undefeated on 28.

Willington overtook the Brandon total of 93 for eight with four wickets remaining. John Askew hit four boundaries in 25 and Lee Tinkler also had four fours making a top scoring 31 while for Brandon Archie Clennell picked up a couple of wickets for just one run in one over.

Ushaw Moor overtook the Esh Winning total of 87 for seven but not before they had conceded seven wickets. Craig Usher had another good game for Ushaw Moor top scoring with 26 while for Esh Winning, Paul Shaw and Scott Dodds returned identical figures of two for 18 and David Thornton captured two for 24 runs in five overs.