Kimblesworth's title celebrations were put on hold for at least another week when they were beaten by eight runs at Langley Park on Saturday.

However, they still should have enough in hand to win the league, even though second placed Evenwood had an easy victory at Mainsforth.

Langley's total of 135 all out didn't seem enough, after Kimblesworth bowler David Sanger took 5 for 23. Only Sajjad Akbar (46) and Lee Wright (25) had success. But Kimblesworth also struggled and lost cheap wickets.

Evenwood cruised to a seven wicket win at Mainsforth to ensure at least second.

They bowled the home side out for 114, with Jonathan Gill taking 5 for 22 and Gavin Kellett 3 for 19. Deighton Butler then hit an unbeaten 58 and John Maughan an unbeaten 36.

Crook all rounder Calvin Stephenson helped himself to a hat trick as his side thrashed Esh Winning by ten wickets.

Stephenson tore his way through the early batting, taking the first three wickets on his way to figures of 5 for 16 as Esh were bowled out for 64.

Sedgefield had a narrow two run win over Willington. Chris Wides was their top scorer with 42 out of a total of 193 for 8.

Willington made a good reply with Ali Shah scoring 44, Karl Brown 38 and Richard Manuel 37, but they ran out of steam.

Brandon beat Etherley in another close game, by three runs.

Tudhoe batsman Simon Davies hit a century for his side, but still finished on the losing side at Shildon Railway.

Leadgate beat Ushaw Moor by 67 runs, after putting on 179, Bilal Rana scoring 70. Ushaw were bowled out for 112.

l The race for the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior championship will go right to the wire after Ashington and Annfield Plain both gained maximum points.

Ashington have just a one-point lead going into the last day when they will be hoping that Paul Rutherford repeats the form he showed against Swalwell when he produced season-best figures of 8-27.

Swalwell were sent back for just 97 after Ashington had made 141.

After dismissing Whickham for 117 which included a top-scoring 49 by Andy Hughes, Annfield Plain kept their title hopes alive with a four-wickets win. Skipper Phil Brown was the matchwinner with the bat, contributing a half century.