Durham Senior League: Boldon were the only side in the top three to win and increased their lead to 12 points in the championship chase.

The Hetton Lyons v Burnmoor game ended in a draw, while Boldon were involved in a hard-fought victory over South Shields.

Skipper Grant Forster's half century gave Boldon an early boost but the Shields attack stuck gamely to their task. This delayed any declaration until Boldon reached 200 after three hours' play.

When John Dunn was dismissed from the first delivery, Shields faced an uphill battle especially after the late withdrawal of Ashok Patel through injury.

They struggled to 52-7, losing five wickets for 12 runs. Resistance came late on but Orlanzo Jackson with 5-27 ensured Boldon remained at the top.

Burnmoor lost ground when they were unable to win at Hetton Lyons. Gerry Strydom (51) and Steve Errington added 76 in an hour before being parted. When Ian Conn and Michael Callaghan paired up, the runs slowed down and in the end the Moors were left to chase 178.

Losing openers Mark Benfield and Barry Dews by the time the score had reached 14 didn't help Burnmoor's cause and runs were hard to come by.

Neil Young and John Tindale (51) put on 40 and when the final hour was called the score was 91-4. This proved beyond the Moors who ended up ten runs short of victory but collected 11 points.

Felling produced a match-inning performance against Durham City. There was a century partnership between Charlie Wilson (72 not out ) and Alan Bullock (58) for Felling, before Wilson and Graeme Wright (71) added 106 for the third wicket.

Then came a fine bowling display. Darryl Warden's 11.4 overs saw him take 7-17. Although Tom Meredith (50) and Nick Howe (37) resisted, Warden saw to it that Felling ended up comfortable winners.

Runs from the early Whitburn batsmen enabled them to top 200 at Horden. There was a half century for Ashley Thorpe, but the main contribution came from Michael Smith. His unbeaten 55 meant Horden needed 215 after Nadeem Khan had bowled well, taking 4-57.

Horden captain Adrian Hedley almost won the game for his side. In his 119-minute stay Hedley smashed ten fours and six sixes. Needing 98 from the final hour with eight wickets intact it was always possible with Hedley at the crease. However, wickets were lost and there was a tense finish with Horden's final pair surviving.

A weakened Seaham Harbour side were no match for South Hetton. David Wilkinson's 6-41 from 15 overs and three by John Pendlington saw Seaham dismissed for just 78.

South Hetton's response was rapid. It took them just 17.5 overs to end the game with Bob Steel collecting a half century.

Eppleton's encouraging start against Marsden saw Sean Birbeck (79) and Andrew Summerbell (46) score freely and a declaration followed at 200.

Marsden were in difficulties until an unbeaten eight-wicket partnership. Andrew Doherty (78 not out) and David Wills (44 not out) saw that Marsden shared the spoils.