ESH WINNING emerged as the major threat to the promotion ambitions of the clubs ahead of them in the table when an emphatic thrashing of Crook Town earned them maximum points.

A couple of days earlier Esh had been boosted by the news that their outstanding game at Boldon CA would, after all, be able to be played later in the season rather than be counted as a draw as had been originally indicated.

That gave extra purpose to their efforts at the Town, and the win took them to within nine points of a top two slot, but now with the crucial game in hand.

Jalat Khan was the allround star of the Esh success, cracking five fours and four sixes on his way to a 56-ball 70, and then taking 3-6 in 5.3 overs. John Hodgson joined Khan in the run spree, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes in a 50-ball 67 as Esh recorded 224-7 before declaring after 45 overs, and then Ryan Moralee (4-12 from 10 overs) did the early damage before Khan wiped out the tail to skittle the home team for 69.

Meanwhile Burnmoor owed a debt of gratitude to Owen Lancaster. After losing six wickets cheaply Lancaster rebuilt the Moor’s innings, his unbeaten 60 being primarily responsible for the leaders scrambling up to 143- 8 in 48 overs, and then with hosts Easington threatening to challenge that target Lancaster stepped up to claim five wickets for 12 runs in 8.2 match defining overs.

That brilliant spell saw Easington dismissed for 98, and the 23 points gleaned from the victory were to prove additionally precious as both Dawdon and Tudhoe lost to leave the Moor 25 points clear of the pack as they pursue a second consecutive title.

Dawdon’s downfall came at Mainsforth where the home team enjoyed the best of starts as their top three batters piled on the runs.

Martin Lower (55), Gary Cummings (42) and Mohammed Nawaz (55 from 53 balls) ensured the hosts could post a challenging 196-8, and then Lower (4-17) and Nawaz (3-32) combined once more to leave Dawdon deflated on 107 all out.

Castle Eden’s performance against Tudhoe was even more comprehensive, Dean Langridge’s half century giving the home team the confidence to pile on 213-5 in 46 overs, and then Richard Ede (5-10) blowing the visitors away for 79 in 21.3 overs.

At the other end of the table there was joy for Hylton whose first win of the season lifted them out of the bottom two. James Waller hit 9 fours and a six as he opened out with 60, and with contributions down the order the home team posted 264-8 in 44 overs against Philadelphia.

Phili were then beaten in the last over, bowled out for 157 as Gavin Barnes (3-16 in 11 overs) led the strike force.

Meanwhile Marsden earned a welcome win, bowling Evenwood out for 111 with Paul Snaith (3-22) and Colin Mann (4-5) setting up a four wicket win on the back of a Ryan Dowens half century.

And Boldon CA maintained their unbeaten record as they defeated Horden by five wickets.