A record eighth win gave Brandon that unstoppable feeling as they lead their closest rivals by 47 points with no-one showing any signs of stopping their runaway success.

The possibility of Willington, one of those who hoped to be in the championship hunt, taking them as close as anyone looked unlikely after Scott Nattrass (4-32) put so much effort into his 12 overs, with six maidens, that their innings needed a last-gasp 43 from Paul Stephenson to make three figures.

The Willington number ten, better known for his bowling, couldn't stretch his side's total of 114 far enough to worry Brandon, who went on to win by four wickets thanks to 49, with six boundaries, from the ever-dominant Will Bosisto.

Fellow opener Stephen Ball shared the good start and even the loss of quick wickets down the order, as Stephen Alderson (2-11) and Gary Cummings (2-34) made timely strikes, didn't worry the dominant leaders.

Second-placed Esh Winning, another of the championship hopefuls already beaten by Brandon, lost their way again when defeated by unpredictable Crook Town, although only six runs separated the teams at the end of an exciting encounter.

Crook reached 206 for nine with a magnificent 117 from Aaron Morrison, whose partnered with Steve Chapman (32) left Esh wondering if victory was possible. Yasmin Murtaza (42) and John Carmedy (41) gave them a good enough start but time ran out on a partnership led by Eddie Watson (52no) as Crook's bowlers kept their nerve.

Only six points separate the four teams below Crook and among them is Tudhoe, who enjoyed a six-wicket victory at Shildon, thanks to Shaun Findlay (60no) and Andrew Allen (54no).

Earlier, John Nash and Mike Lumley both hit half-centuries but the Railwaymen's 192 for six didn't prove enough as Tudhoe knocked off the runs in 36.2 overs.

Marsden continued their new-found form by defeating Evenwood thanks to 59 from Stephen Neilson, and Langley Park are just ten points from third place after beating Ushaw Moor.

A hat-trick from Chris Winn was included in the last four wickets he claimed as Moor slumped to 73 all out.

Langley Park had made 183, with steady contributions backing up top-scorer Jonathan Lane (38).

Stephen Milburn (4-51) was Ushaw's most successful bowler.