IT is still nip-and-tuck at the top of the table following Kimblesworth's crucial victory at Evenwood.

The positions were reversed and Kimblesworth now lead their rivals, who have a game in hand, by a mere six points. Deighton Butler crashed no fewer than six sixes and eight boundaries and was only one run short of a century when he was dismissed helping Evenwood to a respectable 175 all out.

Masood Mirza bowled a good line and length in the visiting attack, conceding only 37 runs in 12 overs for three wickets and Trevor Hindmarsh gave support with 3-37 from 11 overs.

Kimblesworth made an uncertain start to their reply, losing the wickets of Andrew Kelly and Stephen Meek for a combined total of only 26 runs before Michael Fishwick and Mirza just about secured victory for their side before the partnership was broken.

Fishwick departed after hitting ten boundaries in 63 and Mirza remained unbeaten with a similar score after recording one six and six fours. Kimblesworth had seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.

Esh Winning are third, 22 points adrift of the new leaders after they enjoyed an eight-wicket win against Brandon, who were all out for just 101 which included 43 by Peter Crossling. Neil Arrowsmith and Mark Davison took three wickets apiece before John Carmedy led Esh's reply with 56.

Crook Town stay fourth and they extended their unbeaten record which stretches back to May with a 72-runs victory over Shildon.

Joe Barnes struck six boundaries in an unbeaten 65 and Andrew Burgess contributed 35 to a total of 204-8. Replying, the visitors were all out in 38.3 overs with 132 on the board. Stuart Foster was their top performer with the bat finding the boundary on five occasions scoring 29.

Michael Fawcett and Barnes made early inroads into the Shildon innings and later Andrew Coe claimed four wickets for just 28 runs in eight overs.

The runs flowed when Ushaw Moor hosted Willington who lost by just 12 runs. Replying to the formidable target of 199, Willington managed 186 with a number of useful contributions down the order, the most noteworthy being 36 from Martin Thorpe.

Brendan Jackson claimed 3-41 in 11.5 overs and Stephen Hancock 3-20 from 12 overs as the visitors occupied the wicket for all but one ball of the 45 overs.

Batting first, Ushaw Moor ended on 198-7. Hancock struck one six and six fours in 54 and Sanjay Raul added 33 at the start of the innings.

Tudhoe had 40 runs in hand of Etherley who found the five-man home attack difficult to dominate.

Chris Glasper bowled 12 overs taking 3-38 and both Kevin Littlefair and Mattie Kyle took two wickets. Simon Davies hit 63 and his opening partner Shahid Anwar found the line on five occasions contributing 37 to the first-wicket stand which laid the foundations for a total of 161. Gary Cummings and Colin Barker each captured three wickets bowling 23 overs between them.

Despite James Foster taking six wickets for only 32 runs, Langley Park edged past the Sedgefield total with a couple of wickets to spare. Keith Smith and Tyrone Beaton both passed 30 and in the Sedgefield innings of 170 all out, none did better than Chris Wides with 52.