Champs begin strongly

Champions Evenwood gave early notice that they will be strong contenders to retain their crown when they sent Sedgefield crashing to only 29 all out in just 16.5 overs.

John Maughan and Deighton Butler proved just about unplayable with the former claiming six wickets for a miserly 15 runs and Butler returning equally impressive figures of 4-13.

The game was all over in only 27.3 overs as Evenwood quickly accumulated the few runs needed for the loss of just one wicket.

Shildon's batsmen also struggled to make an impact against visiting Tudhoe. Twenty-one overs produced just 54 runs as Chris Glasper captured five wickets for a meagre 19 runs and Michael Coulthard claimed four victims at a cost of just 18 runs.

Although Tudhoe conceded three wickets they were home in 11.1 overs and the game lasted a total of only 32.1 overs. Runs were also scarce at Esh Winning, whose recently-appointed professional Ata-ur-Rehman turned in an encouraging performance against Etherley. The paceman conceded only 25 runs in ten overs taking six wickets. Colin Barker offered some resistance making 31, but the visitors failed to make three figures.

Eddie Seery took the wickets of Esh's openers, who between them made just a single run.

But once Ian Dixon was joined by Rehman, the home side romped to a six-wickets win. Dixon hit a six and three boundaries carrying his bat for 30 and Rehman completed an excellent debut with 23 not out.

Runs were a lot more plentiful at Langley Park, where Kimblesworth made the highest score of the day. Opener Andrew Kelly ended unbeaten on 81, which together with 69 from Michael Fishwick and Stephen Meek's 36, propelled the visitors past the 200-runs mark. Simon Huscroft was the pick of the Langley bowlers with 4-49.

Both the home side's opening batsmen failed to score before newcomer Grant Falk, Alan Gray and Simon Huscroft all passed 30. Even so Kimblesworth were never troubled ending 77 runs ahead.

Meek was another player to put in an encouraging all-round display and his 4-31 was achieved in nine overs.

Brandon battled through no fewer than 45 overs at Mainsforth making just 107-8 and they were grateful to David Fort for his unbeaten 33.

Robert Chismon conceded only 12 runs in as many overs picking up three wickets and David Thompson was also economical, his 12-overs spell earning him figures of 3-24.

Mainsforth did not have things all their own way and it took them 30 overs to reach the target losing six wickets in the process.

Their match-winner with the bat was Gavin Peat, who recorded a six and five fours making a top-scoring 46.

Seasoned campaigner Robert Orton almost threatened to pull the game out of the fire for Brandon taking 4-27 in 12 overs.

Sanjay Raul was quickly into the form which earned him headlines throughout last summer. He hit 63, leading Ushaw Moor to a six-wickets win after Crook Town had been pegged to 124-7, which included a half century from Neil Davies.