Foster's Durham Senior League: Championship chasers Whitburn and Eppleton scored runs freely but, the latter were unable to turn their runs into victory against Hetton Lyons, writes Bob Gidney.

Consequently, Whitburn increased their lead at the top to 15 points. There were centuries each from Jim Daley and Sean Ezzard as the Eppleton openers savaged the Hetton Lyons' attack. The declaration on 249 left Hetton Lyons with far too much to do. Youngster Michael Walker (44 not out) stood firm though.

Three wickets apiece from Ezzard and Gary Hulme took Eppleton close to victory but not close enough.

Although Whitburn were always in control of the game against South Shields there was just one wicket remaining when victory was clinched. A rearguard action was led by Jimmy Gaff (62) after Shields had been 27 for five wickets after just 14 overs.

The return of Ian Elliott broke the resistance when he captured Gaff's wicket and the young paceman ended with 5-46.

Earlier, Ashley Thorpe had dominated the proceedings. The left-handed batsman ended with an unbeaten century.

Along with John Dunn (47) the pair added 145 together against a very mediocre attack before an early declaration.

The game at the bottom saw Felling win their first match but it was a nail-biting one-wicket win.

It was the return to Felling of Chris Pleasants that gave them the upper hand in a match where runs were a scarce commodity.

Pleasants' 12 overs brought a 5-37 return with youngster Paul Leonard supporting him admirably with 3-8.

Chasing 92 to win proved traumatic. Nick Howe (6-19) for Durham City did what Pleasants had accomplished earlier. However, a vital 21 runs came from Pleasants and Daryl Warden for the tenth wicket to see Felling nervously home by the narrowest of margins.

Marsden's fixture with Boldon ended all square after the latter had hit 201.

Grant Forster (49) and Geoff Houmark set Boldon off at a quick rate but a mini collapse put them into a vulnerable postion at 133-5. Gareth Smith with nine boundaries in an unbeaten 41 enabled them to declare.

Simon Curtis (58) and Harry Mann (34) accumulated 75 together. Marsden were well behind a winning run chase in the final hour and the game petered out.

Burnmoor were made to struggle at Seaham Harbour but eventually ended up winning by five wickets. It was the home side who looked like collapsing initially.

Martin Thursfield (4-19) with early wickets reduced the Harbour to 28 for five but a late 35 by Adam Young saw the innings end on 133.

When Burnmoor found themselves at 69-5 Seaham sensed a chance of victory. Then Mark Robson (37 not out) and Mark Blunt secured a five wicket win with an unbroken partnership of 65.

Horden lost their first match of the season when visitors South Hetton won by seven wickets. Youngster Andrew Dixon, opening the Horden innings, completed a half century but the batting found difficulties against John Leslie (3-44) and the spin of Ashok Patel (4-20).

John Pendlington (60) and Patel (69) then completed a comprehensive seven-wicket win.