EVENWOOD held on to pole position with a nine-run victory at Esh Winning. Billy Teasdale (40) and Darren Wallis (61) propelled the visitors to the healthy total of 195-8 despite Tariq Mehmood returning 4-33 in an economical 12-overs spell.

Esh's reply was indifferent in the early stages but opener Ian Dixon held firm and when he found a partner in Peter Maddison, home hopes rose.

Dixon departed after striking seven boundaries in 52 but Maddison was still there at the end having hit nine fours in 61 not out. Deighton Butler, with 4-35 in 12 overs, and Teasdale (3-34) were the bowlers mainly responsible for Esh falling short.

Kimblesworth are second and they hurried to victory at Shildon. The home side gave a better batting performance but their total of 150 compiled in 44.1 overs, including 37 by Les Neesham was vulnerable.

Andrew Kelly hammered 16 boundaries in 76 not out and Stephen Meek crashed one six and 11 fours carrying his bat for 70, the opening pair adding 152 in 21.1 overs.

The respective professionals shone when Langley Park defeated Ushaw Moor by five wickets. Sanjay Raul, who has enjoyed a marvellous first season for Ushaw Moor, made 119 of his team's 193-6.

But Tyrone Beeton proved to be the matchwinner ending undefeated on 96 when he batted throughout the Langley Park reply which realised 197-5.

The runs also flowed when Crook Town entertained Tudhoe and won by seven wickets. Shahid Anwar struck a six and 12 boundaries contributing 75 to the Tudhoe total of 206 which came from 44.1 overs. Lee Morton took 3-39 in nine overs.

Peter Brown and Ian Williams gave the Crook reply a good send-off but a blow came when Williams had to retire through injury. He returned when the first wicket fell and was still there at the end, undefeated on 88.

Brown also played a valuable part in adding 47 and Andy Burgess carried his bat for 46.

Mainsforth made the biggest score of the day and professional Robert Chismon the highest individual total. He struck a six and 15 fours in 121 and David Fishburn had 12 boundaries adding 83 to their side's total of 255-4 in just 45 overs.

Karl Brown (55) and Neil Barfuss (32) gave Willington's response a promising start but at stumps, the visitors reached 202-7 as Scott Wallis claimed 3-30.

Gary Cummings and Michael Crane steered Etherley to victory at Sedgefield. After taking a couple of wickets, Cummings hit nine boundaries in 48 and Crane had a couple of sixes and three fours scoring 60 not out. Martin Lower, with 3-48 from 11 overs, was the most productive Sedgefield bowler.

When they made first use of the wicket, Sedgefield realised 184-7 with Kevin Wilkinson (31) and Chris Wides (73) on form.