The top four teams again won so it remains as you were.

Hetton Lyons still lead by ten points after their expected win against bottom-placed Durham City materialised.

Leading run-maker Sean Birbeck top scored with 84 and with the usual contribution from Marc Hopkinson (44) City were seeking a large score for victory.

Birbeck then turned up trumps with the ball. His 4 for 39, assisted by three wickets from slow bowler Ian Male, enabled the Lyons to win by 36 runs.

Whitburn remain second after a comfortable six wicket win against Horden, thanks to 15-year old Michael Turns.

Nadeem Khan (92 not out) and Kevin Spanton added 93 for the third wicket but these were the only two who reached double figures.

Turns' introduction saw him break the stand and then pick up three late-order batsmen. The reliable Ashley Thorpe (3-18) and John Dunn (3-38) provided admirable support.

In contrast, all Whitburn's early-order batsmen scored well. The main partnership between Dunn and Andrew Turns was worth 66 as they easily won.

A much depleted Burnmoor side still managed to win at Marsden. With six regulars missing the Moors appeared to have the game well under control.

A batting collapse saw Marsden slump to 55 for seven with Martin Thursfield as the destroyer-in- chief with five for 31. Support for Alex Ludlow (3-32) almost brought Marsden's innings to a close. There was then stout resistance from final pair Andrew Raine (38 not out) and John Stobbart. They added 53 together, lasting 18 overs and Marsden ended with 138.

However, this proved to be of no avail. A half-century from opener Chris Ellison was well supported by an unbeaten 42 from Mark Blunt. These contributions enabled Burnmoor to win by seven wickets.

Eppleton remain in contention after a noteworthy six wickets victory over South Shields, who would be disappointed after making an impressive 239.

Paul Muchall led the run revel in the first innings. His unbeaten century saw him add 206 with skipper Mike Fishwick.

It was Australian Fishwick who was more forceful though. His innings of 83 included 10 fours and a six before he declared after 51 overs.

Eppleton immediately took up the challenge with Jimmy Daley leading the way. He lost four colleagues by the time the score had reached 142, but captain Lee Welch then became a permanent fixture.

Daley passed his century and Eppleton reached their target with seven balls remaining.

Opener Daley hit 16 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 125 and Welch was with him at the close, undefeated on 45.

In an amazing game at Seaham Harbour there were 500 runs scored - with each side hitting 250.

The high-scoring draw gained momentum from the start as Paul Leonard (75), Alex Brook (54 not out) and Graham Wright (50) rattled up the runs. The declaration after 52.5 overs left Seaham with 43 overs to chase their target.

Undaunted David Leslie found ideal support from Matthew Young (30) and then Martin Gill. Leslie (141 not out) batted throughout. When the final over arrived Leslie and Gill were looking for 11 to win and then three from the final ball. They only managed to run two and the exciting finale ended level.

South Hetton topped 200 against Boldon.

The main thrust of the innings came from John Pendlington (64) and Gary Burlinson (59), who added 80 for the second wicket and Boldon were left to score 207 to win.

Their challenge never became a serious one and they found themselves on seven for five at the start of the last hour.

Despite three wickets each from John Pendlington (3-45) and John Leslie (3-54) South Hetton were unable to force a victory.