BURNMOOR strengthened their grip at the top of the Durham Senior League by defeating Durham City by 82 runs but there were less than two overs left when they claimed the last wicket.

The match-winner was Ian Conn. He had 7-35 after earlier opening the innings and scoring 30 which together with 46 by Michael Robson provided most of Burn-moor's total of 191-6.

An excellent performance in the field secured Belmont a six-wickets victory over Littletown in the Rose-berry Group North-East Durham League.

Martin Robinson took 7-28 in 11 overs and Peter Welch 3-34 as Littletown were restricted to 69 all out in 21 overs.

The Belmont fielders took five very good catches and victory was quickly achieved for the loss of four wickets in 30 overs despite Chris Bede claiming 3-24 in a lengthy spell of 15 overs for Little-town.

Plawsworth had 23 runs to spare at home to Coxhoe.

Mike Browbank top scored with 42 in the home team's 182-8 and, although Alvi and Whit-field both scored 38, Coxhoe could only manage 159-7 as Kevin Jones claimed 5-56.

East Rainton had just 14 runs in hand of Belford House at the end of a high-scoring game. Gordon Steel and Ian Kitching both scored 41 and Mick Austin finished unbeaten on 36 in East Rainton's 176-6 in 45 overs.

In reply, Belford House managed 162-8 with Duncan Forrest carrying his bat for 108 as he recorded a couple of sixes and six fours. Freddie Long, with 5-46 in nine overs, was in good form for East Rainton.