Evenwood continue to lead the table but they are being hotly pursued by Kimblesworth who are not going to give up their crown without a fight.

When Langley Park were reduced to 120 all out, including no fewer than 31 extras, it was an uphill struggle for them in the field and Evenwood made no mistake, winning with six wickets in hand. Billy Teesdale, with four wickets for 32 runs and Deighton Butler, whose three wickets cost just 34 runs were the bowlers who put the leaders into a strong position at the halfway stage.

Kimblesworth also gained maximum points, but they were pressed all the way before seeing the challenge from Etherley.

Gary Cummings opened the visitors' innings with a half century and later Balmbra carried his bat for 42 in a total of 183-5 compiled from the maximum 45 overs.

Andrew Kelly (53) and Stephen Meek (28) gave Kimblesworth's innings the platform for a winning response but when the normally free-scoring Michael Fishwick and Masood Mirza went quickly and Faruk Iqbal had to retire through injury after making 26, the winners needed the assistance of a massive 46 extras to see them home.

Crook Town ousted Esh Winning from third position when they won the near top-of-the-table clash by 42 runs.

The visitors' innings closed on 173 with two balls remaining and most of the runs came from Ian Williams, who stroked a couple of sixes and nine boundaries in 65 and Joe Barnes with 45.

Esh conceded three early wickets before Tariq Mehmood (35) and Graham Hurst put together a fourth-wicket partnership which threatened the Crook total but when Hurst was sent back for 63 after hitting a six and nine fours, the innings ended on 131 all out with 14 balls remaining.

Barnes completed a good all-round performance by capturing five wickets for a meagre 29 runs in 8.2 overs and Michael Fawcett gave support, his three wickets costing just 27 runs from 12 overs.

Neil Barfuss, Richard Manuel and Stephen Hurst all took three wickets when Shildon were dismissed for just 107 in 32.3 overs replying to the Willington total of 178. Barfuss also starred with the bat recording eight boundaries in 75 and Karl Brown contributed 31 before being run out.

Despite 45 by Gary Purcell Mainsforth's 142-9 proved insufficient in the home game with Ushaw Moor. Sanjay Raul (3-26) and Scott Nattrass (4-33) were both in form for the visitors before David Armstrong, with a six and three boundaries in 33, led the visitors to victory with four wickets and ten balls remaining.

Brandon had three wickets left, winning at Sedgefield in the last over. More than half their total of 129-7 came from Darren Punshon whose match-winning innings of 71 no included four sixes and as many boundaries.

Michael Ridley added respectability to the Sedgefield score of 128 when he contributed 41 and in the Brandon attack, Campbell Robertson and Moore each took three wickets.