IT was a case of little by little for Burnmoor as they edged further ahead of Whitburn for the championship of the Foster’s Durham Senior League. The leaders disposed of the challenge of Philadelphia at Bunker Hill, while Whitburn were one ball from a 30-point maximum against Boldon but had to settle for a draw. Philadelphia had no answer to the bowling of Brett Pelser and Ian Conn, as only one batsman made double figures. Pelser’s 12 overs brought 3-32, and Conn took 4-16 from his nine to have Phili out for 75 to their credit, a total that was passed for the loss of two wickets. Whitburn were at home to Boldon but put in a top notch display only to be denied at the end. Neil Ayre (48) and Paul Shields (41) set the home side on their way before David Bell hit a half century to take the hosts to maximum batting points. Whitburn’s bowling trio of Ashley Thorpe (4-16), Tony Greaves (3-39) and Neil Johnson (2-32) had Boldon on the ropes with the last pair clinging to the draw. That extra wicket cost the home team 14 points and they are 24 behind the leaders. South Hetton got back to winning ways beating Felling by 155 runs. For Hetton Sean Bradbury (54), John Pendlington (46) and Freddie Napier (43) led the charge to 234-6. John Leslie (5-37) and David Wilkinson (5-49) then routed the visitors for 79. Felling’s defeat meant Seaham Harbour’s draw at Marsden brought them safety points at the foot of the table. They showed great spirit holding off the home challenge set up by Chris Mann’s 95. Neil McKinney picked up four for 27 for Harbour who replied to the home side’s 201 with 129-8, Jeff Laws batting throughout for an unbeaten 73. Eppleton consolidated their spot in the top half with a win at Horden despite Adrian Hedley’s second consecutive century. Chris Naylor and Guyan Sirisoma had shared eight wickets but Horden’s 223 looked challenging until David Tate (76) and Sirisoma (75no) took their side through to a seven-wicket win. In the other game there was a century for Hetton Lyons’ Sean Birbeck but Durham City held on for a draw with their last pair at the crease. Kimblesworth completed their victory over bottom side Langley Park to go clear in the Readers Durham County League. Peter Caulfield (32) was the only Park batsman able to cope with the home attack and with Nigel Darling picking up four cheap wickets the visitors could only make 73. Stephen Meek (35no) and Paul Craig (34no) took their team to a 10-wicket victory. As Esh Winning weren’t playing, Kimblesworth went clear by 19 points. The performance of the day came from Etherley’s Shikra Dharwan. He has had a remarkable affect on the team’s performances since his arrival, but his unbeaten double century was something to behold as he carved up the Mainsforth attack. He ended with 215 out of 332-7, and while the visitors made it to 200 there was only going to be one result. At Hylton the home team amassed 247-6 against Tudhoe, with Chris Rushworth (93), Adam Zanotti (55) and Chris Allan (50). But Simon Davies made life uncomfortable for the home bowlers as he hit an undefeated century and with Tim Smalley scoring 51 Tudhoe galloped home with five wickets to spare. Another century maker was Evenwood’s Billy Teesdale. His unbeaten 105 took his side to a nine-wicket win at Willington where the home team had been bowled out for 139, Anubam Sanchleca taking four scalps. On a day where runs flowed Lee Morton returned figures of 6-34 to set up Crook’s four-wicket victory at Brandon. Wilkin Mota grabbed 5-28 and then scored 74 not out to take Shildon to an eight-wicket win over Ushaw Moor. The performance of the day in the 3D Durham Coast League came from bottom club Peterlee as they fought tenaciously to hold leaders Castle Eden to a draw. Jon Malkin (64) and John Spellman jnr (56no) had set up Castle’s total of 203-3, but the expected procession to a routine victory never materialised as the home team fought a superb rearguard action with Dale Butler (40) and David Watt (32) providing the backbone of Peterlee’s 119-7. With Castle surprisingly dropping eight points, Murton moved threateningly into second spot as they ended Bill Quay’s unbeaten record. Despite 31 from David Pearson it was the bowling of Lee Gilbert and Joe Dodd that set up the Murton win with Gilbert returning the magnificent figures of 6-25 and Dodd claiming the other 4-33 as Quay crumbled for 89. Calvin Stephenson then smashed 65 to carry his team to a seven-wicket success. Silksworth were the other big movers on the day, their win at Dawdon shifting them up into third spot. Paul Smailes carried his bat for an unbeaten 75, and with George Bevan hitting 62, the visitors posted a useful looking 175. It was then over to Stephen Wright as his six-wicket haul ensured Dawdon ended 20 runs short. Elsewhere, Boldon CA’s Gary Critchley was in great form as his undefeated 76 carried his team to a six-wicket success over Seaham Park which all but ended their title hopes, while Ryhope’s Dave Kennedy (62) and A J Purewal (59) lifted their side to 223 at Easington, a total that the home team found too many to chase as the game fizzled out to a draw. CHRIS WEST | 
