KIMBLESWORTH head into next weekend’s final set of Durham Senior League fixtures with their 12 point lead over Boldon still intact following another weather-blighted programme.
Two hours of play were lost at Felling , and that left Kimblesworth having to be satisfied with just 11 points despite being in control of the game. The leaders raced along to notch up maximum batting points before declaring, Sam MacPherson, Craig Burke and Paul Craig all recording half centuries in a score of 225-3, but with Felling on 45-2 that was as far as it got.
Boldon’s home game against South Hetton suffered six interruptions, but nevertheless 73 overs of play were squeezed in between the showers. Michael Walker hit 11 fours in his opening 65 for Boldon, and with Geoff Houmark adding an unbeaten 42 the home team put on 211-8 in 46 overs, Robbie Atherton (4-57) the most successful in the visiting attack.
Neil Young looked in good nick for Hetton when they replied, hitting 5 fours and a six in a bright 61, but when Karl Bellerby (3-45) claimed his wicket the visitors closed out on 119-4, Boldon’s 11 points mirroring the Kimbles haul and leaving them with it all to do next week if they are to retain the title.
Only one game reached a conclusion, Horden the successful team as they defeated Norton by seven wickets to leap frog them in the table. Gary Ward (5-58) and Adam Dixon (3-33) bowled the Teessiders out for 142, and then Stephen McCoy (54) and John Minnis (50no) saw the job through in style.
In the best of the rain-ruined rest, Philadelphia moved off the bottom of the table by dint of the fact they gained two more bonus points than Durham City , Stephen Robinson and Michael Osborne sharing the six Burnmoor wickets to fall, and Sura Malinga also had three in the bag as Eppleton reduced Whitburn to 102-6 before the storm clouds gathered.
Seaham Park need 16 points from next week’s final game against second bottom Peterlee to clinch their first ever Durham Coast League title.
They put themselves firmly in the driving seat by defeating opponents Silksworth and the elements to pick up one of the most crucial victories in their history. Ali Watson (3-12) and Alex Ludlow (3-25) blasted out the Silks top order, the visitors eventually crumbling for 75 in 24 overs. Park then rushed across the winning line in just 16 overs despite losing five wickets in the process.
Boldon CA got in much more playing time at Bill Quay , but they couldn’t shift stubborn opponents and had to settle for a frustrating 13 points.
CA declared after 33 overs with 175-4 on the board, Andy McCord’s half century top scoring, but Jason Jones’ five sixes in his 36 not out the highlight. Ian Male then had the Albion tottering on 114-8 after 35 overs with a 12 over spell of 5-34, late Quay resistance denying Boldon the win points that would have taken them top.
Three other matches witnessed results. Ryhope knocked off Seaham Harbour’s score of 152-6 inside 26 overs, Lee Gilbert (6 fours and 3 sixes in 59) their driving force, Dawdon dumped Easington by 55 runs, Shoaib Akhtar once again impressing with 8 fours and 3 sixes in 77, and Hylton overwhelmed Murton by nine wickets, Ben Taylor (4-17) and Chris Allan (73no) the stars.
But the best game of the day ended in a draw as Peterlee (175-9) finished one run short of Washington’s 176-5.
