Burnmoor close gap on leaders Castle Eden (From Durham Times)

Burnmoor close gap on leaders Castle Eden

12:12pm Monday 2nd July 2012 in Durham Senior League

BURNMOOR crept closer to Castle Eden at the top of the Durham Senior League as the leaders were swept aside by the weather.

Castle looked set to swamp visitors Whitburn after reducing them to 58-5 in 23 overs of play, but then a torrential downpour brought their victory march to a halt.

Meanwhile, Burnmoor were easing past Boldon by seven wickets, knocking off the target of 139-9 with Jimmy Daley (63) and debutant Matthew Sampson-Barnes (43no) leading a successful run chase which helped lop another 13 points of Castle’s advantage.

The only other winners on a day when rain again played a major part in proceedings were Durham City who, after going two months without success, made it two wins in a row as they defeated Felling by three wickets with Phil Parker making an unbeaten 42 in the run chase.

In the day’s best batting display, Philadelphia’s Tom Skilbeck cracked a brilliant 129 not out as Phili posted 192-7 at Marsden who then refused to be budged as they responded with 102-3.

In the Durham County League, Esh Winning survived a real fright against Brandon to reinforce their position as leaders.

After being set a challenging target of 171-9 in a game reduced to 40 overs per side, Esh slumped to 125-8 before being rescued by a match winning unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 54 between Jon Hodgson (30no) and Eddie Watson (25no), victory arriving with just one over remaining.

With Willington’s match at Tudhoe washed out Crook moved clear in second as they defeated Langley Park by 77 runs, Town’s success keeping them 29 points behind Esh with the pair set to meet in a fortnight’s time.

A depleted Easington team pulled off another great victory to move to within 13 points of Murton at the top of the Durham Coast League.

Seaham Park got the shock of their lives as they were dumped out for 111 as Dane Wilson (3-27) and Jordan Wilson (4-18) dominated. Ben Wicling (32) and Matt Cowell (37no) then made it a stroll in the Park as they secured a five-wicket win.

Dawdon were the other biggest movers as they hammered struggling Boldon CA by eight wickets after Liam Cowell sent the visitors crashing for 84 with an 11 over spell in which he picked up 5-12.

Murton were frustrated by Silksworth.

After setting 132-5 in 48 overs with skipper Dave Hanson carrying his bat for a half century, Craig Nield did the same for the Silks, closing on 68 not out as his team held firm on 110-6 after 33 overs.

It’s a familiar story in the NTSL after five times champions Swalwell moved into pole position at the halfway stage.

With Tynedale’s game at Percy Main one of two failing to start, the title-holders made the most of it as they defeated Shotley Bridge by seven runs, Chris Hewison again leading their batting line up with 74 priceless runs.

Nicky Phillips (4-45) then held the upper hand as victory proved a bridge too far for Shotley.

There was a cracker of a game at Burnopfield where the home team amassed 238-7 in 48 overs, Anwaar Hafeez headlining with nine fours and two sixes in his 66.

Despite Anoop Pai hitting back for Chopwell with an undefeated 87 it was Hafeez who rounded off the perfect day with five wickets as the visitors ended on 235-8.

Poor Leadgate got their wish of playing a game, but then came up against an inspired Melvyn Betts (5-15 and 32) who masterminded an emphatic nine-wicket Annfield Plain victory.