The Readers Durham County League Review: Evenwood won the match of the day to give their early-season chances of retaining the championship a boost.

Kimblesworth are expected to again be among the title contenders but it was their rivals who won by six wickets intact.

The visitors made a useful total of 166 for seven from 45 overs and in reply, Evenwood had five batsmen who made at least 20 runs. They were indebted to Chris Peareth for his half century.

Following an indifferent start Kimblesworth improved with a late partnership between David Sanger (33) and Gavin Swan with 31 while Billy Teasdale returned figures of 3-36 for Evenwood.

Willington, who ran Evenwood close last season, suffered a second defeat, Ushaw Moor winning by five wickets with eight balls left. Gary Cummings hit 34 and Darren Brown 42 as Willington posted 141.

Teneto Willetts conceded just 21 runs in his maximum 12 overs claiming four wickets and Michael Hayton had 4-37 in ten overs.

Ushaw Moor's opening batsmen managed just a couple of runs before man-of-the-match Willetts hit three sixes and three fours in a quickfire 40 and the good work was maintained by Peter Maddison with an undefeated 33. South African Jaco Mong returned 3-48 in the Willington attack.

Brandon enjoyed a ten wicket romp at home to Shildon. Australian Jim Allenby found the boundary 11 times in his 89 and skipper Steve Dunsford recorded nine fours in an undefeated 50 as the pair added 144 in just 24.5 overs.

Although Lee Douthwaite scored 32 of his 38 runs in boundaries, Shildon were restricted to 143-8 as Michael Tinkler and Peter Molloy shared six wickets.

Langley Park made in excess of 200 for the second successive week and this time were rewarded with victory at Esh Winning. Lee Wright (51), Brad Jose, whose 84 included a six and ten fours and Danny Wilkinson (30) propelled Langley to 228-5.

Rakesh Dhurv finished undefeated with 72 hitting three sixes and six fours but Esh only managed 129 in 35 overs. Philip Daughtry and Ryan Moralee both took three wickets for Langley.

Crook Town, second from bottom last season, are a much better side this time. They reduced Sedgefield to only 100 as Stephen Ball claimed 4-22 in 12 overs and Neil Davies picked up 3-22. Despite losing early wickets, Crook won with six wickets remaining.

Etherley defeated Mainsforth by five wickets. David Fishburn hit 52 in Mainsforth's 145, but Carl McGregor and Danny Hinge made half centuries as Etherley ovehauled their target.