The Readers Durham County League: Esh Winning are back in the title race following their run-laden victory over Tudhoe.

Over 500 runs were scored for only 13 wickets before Esh came out on top by a margin of 33.

They were given the best possible start by their openers David Lawlor and John Carmedy, who both made centuries leading their side to the huge total of 273 for only four wickets.

Lawlor crashed four sixes and ten fours in 101 and Carmedy struck a six and 17 boundaries contributing 104.

Simon Davies has been in tremendous form for Tudhoe all season and has flayed one attack after another. On Saturday, it was the turn of the Esh Winning bowlers to witness his class at first hand. He opened and was still there at the end unbeaten on 135 but his Herculean effort was in vain as Tudhoe managed only 240-9. A total of six sixes and 11 fours flashed from his bat in an incredible innings during which he received just 117 deliveries.

On a day when bowlers toiled, Esh took comfort from the performances of Ata-ur-Rehman and Mark Davison, who both claimed three wickets at economical cost.

Willington are among the most improved teams this season. After defeating Philadelphia on Friday night, they dented the championship hopes of Evenwood with a three-wicket win.

The target of almost 200 looked daunting but Gary Cummings batted throughout, leading his side to another encouraging result, carrying his bat for 77.

John Maughan was the inspiration behind Evenwood's 190 all out.

He made 81 before becoming one of White's three victims. Stephen Hirst gave admirable support in the attack capturing 4-50.

Sanjay Raul was in superb all-round form for Ushaw Moor at Brandon. His century and 65 from David Armstrong and 40 not out by Darren Punshon propelled the visitors to 235-3.

Brandon's reply never gained momentum once Raul was introduced into the attack as second change and his six wickets for only 32 runs reduced the home side to 110 all out.

Shildon are still in the doldrums. They managed just 64 at Kimblesworth for whom David Showler clinched a hat-trick in figures of 4-20.

Brendan Clancey returned 5-36 from the 11 overs he sent down and it took the home side just 11.2 overs to secure victory.

Twins Adam and Lloyd Cochrane made most of the runs. The former had three boundaries in 24 and Lloyd also struck three fours making 23 not out.

Neil Franklin took both wickets to fall for 17 runs in seven overs. Only three runs separated winners Langley Park from Crook Town. Langley's 201-9 included 65 by Paul Clish while Davis and March shared seven of the wickets.

Crook made a determined effort but were all out for just 198, which included 65 by March.

Sedgefield had 35 runs in hand on Mainsforth after their 45 overs realised 200 for six. John Foster (42), Richardson with 39 and Martin Lower, who carried his bat for 60, produced most of the runs.

Robert Chismon's 3-44 was the best that the Mainsforth attack could offer. Gary Purcell opened the visitors' reply with 45, but man-of-the-match Lower took five wickets for a meagre 22 runs as the innings closed on 165.