BURNMOOR and South Shields retained their 100 per cent records with wins over Durham City and Philadelphia respectively. With only one draw from the programme, it meant first wins of the seasons for Eppleton, Marsden and Whitburn.

South Shields produced a polished performance against Philadelphia winning by an impressive eight wickets. Phili were never able to score freely as the six-pronged Shields attack all contributed effectively.

Graham Hoban (39) and Karl Bellerby (36) with a middle-order partnership were the only two batsmen to make an impression once Scott Borthwick (39) was out. The tidy Shields bowling had left their batsmen with a target of 187. A purposeful beginning saw Paul Craig and Lindsay Cullen make batting look easy. Then Cullen (80 not out) and Lee Whalley (43) added 96 in 89 minutes and Shields were home.

Burnmoor ran out winners by seven wickets against Durham City. Brett Andrijich hit a half century and with some late-order assistance, City reached 171. Gary Brown removed the last three batsmen in five deliveries and ended with eight for 36.

After a confident beginning by Moors, Brett Pelser (58 not out) and Neil Young (35 not out) added 72 in just 42 minutes to see their side safely to victory.

There was a cliff-hanger conclusion at Whitburn when the home side edged nervously to a one-wicket win. Horden's Adrian Hedley (80) crashed the ball to all parts of the ground in his 60-minutes stay hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Slow bowlers Paul Cook (4-33) and John Dunn (4-22) curbed the remainder of the Horden batting and Whitburn were left to chase a modest 136.

Then the drama began. Carl Watson cleaned out four of the first five batsmen as Whitburn found themselves on five for five.

Some respite came when Cook hit a timely 49 but his side still needed 22 with the final pair at the wicket. Gradually the target was achieved despite a fine 6-33 return from Watson.

Marsden recorded their first win when skipper Chris Mann hit a century against South Hetton.

Mann contributed the bulk of his side's 220 but South Hetton chased the score with gusto.

A middle-order half century from John Pendlington ensured they were chasing an achieveable five-an-over run-rate but then came a late collapse. David Wills (5-47) removed the troublesome Pendlington and South Hetton lost their last four wickets for just six runs.

Boldon were unable to force home their superiority at Felling.

Grant Forster's unbeaten 77 was the main substance to their 177 before Felling's reply. The home side were never able to score quickly enough and the game petered out.

Eppleton won their first game at the expense of Seaham Harbour. Professional Henk Holtzenhausen (70) top scored and with 44 apiece from Jimmy Daley and Shaun Bradburuy, the declaration came at 202.

Veteran bowler Gary Hulme (819) then shot out the Harbour for just 60 runs.