Deighton Butler produced another outstanding performance to keep Evenwood in pole position.

He was just a run short of a century when a four-wicket victory was achieved following a high-scoring game with Tudhoe.

The visitors' professional Shahid Anwar was also in top form contributing 90 to his side's total of 207-6.

Reigning champions Kimblesworth maintained their strong challenge with an eight-wicket home victory over Sedgefield. The visiting batsmen never threatened, especially after the introduction of Faruk Iqbal into the attack and he returned the outstanding figures of 5-17 in six overs.

Sedgefield managed only 100 - which included no fewer than 26 extras and the innings closed following 40 overs. Although Andrew Kelly went early, Kimblesworth romped home in just 17 overs as Masood Mirza hit one six and seven boundaries in an unbeaten 37 and Stephen Meek added 29.

Third-top Esh Winning were another side to experience a comfortable result, visiting Shildon, who gave a better batting performance in making 111 in 39.1 overs. The vast majority of their runs came from Charlie Burke who batted throughout the innings scoring 70 not out.

Mark Davison was in excellent form for Esh and he quickly struck at the heart of the Shildon innings, taking three wickets without conceding a run. He ended with the outstanding analysis of 6-21 from 12 overs and with Tariq Mehmood returning 3-21, Shildon - apart from Burke - were always up against it.

Esh coasted home and their reply lasted only 21.3 overs. Dave Watson had one six and five fours in 40 not out and Ian Dixon also carried his bat for 72, finding the boundary line on 12 occasions.

Brandon were hard-pressed before seeing off the challenge from Langley Park but an unbeaten 53 by Dean Storey saw them home with just two wickets intact. Campbell Robertson opened the visitors reply contributing 33.

The Langley batsmen also had to work hard for their runs and only two players, Tyrone Beeton and Simon Grey passed 20 but, assisted by 26 extras, a total of 162-9 was eventually posted.

Crook Town hosted Ushaw Moor and were relieved when they claimed the wicket of Sanjay Raul for just 17, his lowest score of the season. From then on, it was an uphill struggle for the visitors and their total of 102 looked difficult to defend at the halfway stage.

Stephen Hancock top-scored with 36 and for Crook, Lee Morton's 3-47 from eight overs was the best return of the five bowlers. Raul claimed three wickets for just 24 runs, but Joe Barnes stood firm hitting five fours in 43 not out leading Crook to a four-wicket win.

Etherley were indebted to Danny Hinge when they defeated Mainsforth by three wickets. He opened the innings and his 42, with six boundaries, was a crucial contribution as Gary Purcell (4-27) threatened to snatch victory for the visitors.

It was Purcell who led the way when Mainsforth made first use of the wicket. He topscored with 64, but the 45 overs resulted in a total of only 144-5 being posted.