Only a week after sharing in an unbroken stand of 180, Paul Riddle and Sean Birbeck were at it again. Thrown together with only 12 on the board against Durham City, the pair put the home attack to the sword and were once again inseparable as Lyons declared on 247-1, Riddle having 107 to his name and Birbeck 118.

For skipper Birbeck it was the continuation of an amazing start to the season that has seen him accumulate 270 runs in three innings – unfortunately he hasn't got an average yet as he hasn't been out!

After this run feast, a deflated City were soon on the rack as Surrapulige Malinga claimed three cheap victims, and with Michael Ewert (3-31) on customary form Durham were bundled out for 110 to secure a maximum points return for the Lyons which took them into an early season lead.

Champions Burnmoor broke their seasonal duck – and how! Jimmy Daley rattled up his second century in eight days, John Tindale joined the party with 120 not out, and the home side declared on 233-1. Visitors Seaham Harbour were then routed for just 23, Martin Thursfield (6-9) and Alex Ludow (4-12) in devastating form.

Whitburn had much more of a struggle at South Hetton although eventually coming away with a three wicket win.

Freddie Napier battled hard for Hetton with an opening 38 but, with the visiting bowlers keeping a tight grip on proceedings, the hosts could only struggle up to152-9 in their overs.

But then the form book was thrown out of the window as David Wilkinson (3-31) and John Pendlington (3-41) reeked early havoc on the Whitburn batsmen and it took an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 50 to rescue them when all looked lost – the unlikely heroes being Dave Bell (37no) and Andrew Turns (26no).

On a day of big scores Chris Ellison was another century maker for Boldon – his glorious unbeaten 124 set up his team's score of 238-7 against Eppleton and then West Indian Nelon Pascal (5-43) saw the job through despite a battling 60 from Dave Lowther.

Marsden looked dead and buried after being shot out for 101 by Horden with young Scott Birks underlining his potential with 4-26. But former player Andrew Robson (5-23) was set to haunt his old club and aided by John Stobbart (4-31) the visitors were skittled for a paltry 64.

In the other game Felling continued to give evidence of their revival, getting much the better of a draw with Philadelphia. And it was another triumph for 14-year-old Chris Goudie who top scored with 79 and then unfortunately ran himself out when in sight of an amazing century.

Paul Leonard was the other Felling player to trouble Phili – he made an unbeaten 36 and then took four wickets to leave the visitors holding out for a draw with seven wickets down and still 71 runs adrift.