The Readers Durham County League: Esh Winning's reward for winning Saturday's match of the day at Brandon was to top the table for the first time this season.

Rizwan Quereshi was Esh match winner with a stunning all-round bat and ball display in a four-wickets victory.

It was Eddie Watson though, who first inspired Esh when he claimed the prize wicket of Jim Allenby. The Australian scoring machine made just four runs before being bowled.

When Quereshi was introduced to the attack, he went on to capture six wickets for 26 runs in his allotted 12 overs and Brandon were restricted to 168 for the loss of nine wickets.

Esh made an uncertain reply. David Lawlor and John Carmedy made just 19 runs between them before Quereshi took over. He struck 86 (13 boundaries), sharing a partnership with the impressive Michael Robson (32) paving the way for victory.

Kimblesworth made the highest score of the day, 229 for six at home to Mainsforth. Captain Stephen Meek led by example with an opening century and 47 from the recently-signed Brian Potts took the home side past the 200 mark.

Mainsforth's response soon faltered and the innings slumped to 88 all out as Nigel Darling (4-36) and Meek (6-24) shared the wickets.

Evenwood were not far behind Kimblesworth in the scoring stakes. They put on 222-8 at Etherley, where Damodar Daesrath was only two runs short of a century.

Although Craig Emmanuel promised with an opening contribution of 35, the innings quickly reduced to just 118 all out in 39 overs as John Maughan returned an outstanding six for 38 in 12 overs.

Crook Town's 81 was the lowest score of the day. Crook were favourites at the tea interval after bowling out Langley Park for just 88.

Andrew Coe and Michael Fawcett appeared to have bowled Crook into a winning position but the visitors hit back to claim an exciting seven runs victory.

Coe's tremendous feat was eclipsed by Ryan Moralee, who in eight overs, picked up seven for 21.

Shildon celebrated a narrow five runs victory over Ushaw Moor. Michael Thorpe struck three sixes and eight fours in 78 and Lee Douthwaite added 35 to the Shildon total of 166-8 achieved from the maximum 45 overs.

Michael Hayton, who has been in good form of late, contributed 40 but in a close finish, Shildon came out on top thanks to Craig Potter (3-40) and Thorpe, five for 19.

Karl Brown took 63 from 109 balls off the Tudhoe attack, striking eight fours as Willington overtook the target of 136 with eight wickets intact.

Simon Davies had six boundaries in his 44 from 59 deliveries but Tudhoe's innings never gained momentum and when it produced only 135, Willington were in the driving seat.