Mainsforth kept their nerve and improved their hopes of a top-four finish thanks to a slender win at Etherley on Saturday.

Mainsforth just managed to squeeze home by one wicket, thanks to a steady innings of 51 from David Fishburn, who kept his cool in the later stages of the innings as the visitors chased the Etherley target of 148-9.

Richard Mangles had earlier scored a good 37 to boost Etherley's total, with Robert Chismon the pick of the bowlers with 3-32.

Fishburn held the Mainsforth innings together, and with help from Stephen Jackson (20) managed to win the points for his side.

Langley Park also had a close win over Esh Winning.

Keith Smith scored 92, and helped by David Leslie (44), they reached 194-8, Harold Maddison taking a a valuable 3-46.

Esh had a good chance after Mohammed Zahid scored 58 and Ian Dixon 41 early in the innings, but three run outs cost them dear and they finished short with their last pair at the crease. Kimblesworth took another step closer to the title by easily beating Brandon by 148 runs.

Andrew Kelly (80) and Michael Fishwick (73) gave them a great start, and they lost just four wickets for 207, Trevor Hindmarsh taking three wickets.

Brandon were then bowled out for 59, with Nigel Darling 5-26.

Evenwood are almost certain of the runners-up spot after they thrashed Ushaw Moor by nine wickets. John Maughan took 4-23 and Jonathan Gill 3-0 as Ushaw were bowled out for 52. Neil Teasdale made light work of the target with an unbeaten 25.

Sedgefield continued their late season revival with a 96 run win over Crook Town.

Neil Mulvaney scored an excellent 114 for Sedgefield as his side put on 210-7 with one or two Crook bowlers taking heavy punishment.

Only Shahid Anwar offered any resistance Crook with 74, as Mulvaney took 4 -19 in the Sedgefield attack.

Tudhoe are still bottom of the table after Leadgate beat them by nine wickets.

Simon Davies scored a good 83 for Tudhoe, but only Stephen Thompson gave him support as they were bowled out for 149.

Hunter was then dismissed one short of his half century in the reply, with Stephen Graham scoring 78.

Willington are level with Tudhoe after they lost by seven wickets at Shildon Railway.

Gary Wigham and Phil Garbett both took four wickets apiece as Willington were bowled out for 112.

Shildon passed the target with seven wickets to spare.