Durham Cricket League: Classy Kumar dazzles Dawdon as Horden climb into second place behind faltering leaders

Easington opener Ryan Higgins in action against Phildelphia on Saturday. Picture by Kevin Brady

Adam Dixon (68, with seven fours and a six), Liam Irving (32, with six boundaries) and Lal Kumar (92no, with nine fours and four maximums) led the way. Wayne Birks added 25, with Liam Cowell grabbing 3-52.

In reply, Dawdon never got going and lost wickets at regular intervals, with only David Lowther (31) resisting much, though Nathan Newton made 17 and Cowell 16.

Kumar was the hero of the day for the home side, taking a brilliant 5-34 to skittle the visitors for just 129 and sealing victory by 115 runs and they move back to second place in the league.

Leaders Burnopfield will be fretting a little bit after two consecutive losses, however they still have a healthy 57-point lead over Horden, who leapfrogged Dawdon.

The leaders could only muster 130 at home to much-improved Castle Eden.

They were 33-5 at one stage, but a late blast by John Oswell (53), batting at nine, was the only batting highlight. Richard Ede claimed 4-30 in a devastating opening bowling spell. Robbie McGlasham and Keith Bailey both struck twice.

Eden were also in big trouble at 46-6, until Philip Wimpenny (34) and McGlasham (25no) guided their team home, with Gareth Breese taking early wickets (3-20).

Esh Winning beat bottom club Hylton by 80 runs, which effectively condemns the visitors to relegation.

Batting first, Esh made 220-9, with Stuart Hall hitting 59, Jibran Khan 35 and Richard Hurst 34, while Marlon Black took 3-41 for Hylton.

In reply, the home side made just 140, with Paul Chivers the main bowler, taking 3-34.

Seaham Park will be the happier team after their home draw with fellow strugglers Crook Town.

They have now put themselves 27 points clear of second-bottom Bill Quay, with the 15 points gleaned from this game.

Park built a massive innings of 278-5, with Chris Allan (84), David Hanson (68) and Race (52no) scoring the runs.

Crook, in reply, scored a healthy 200-7, with Steven Chapman (49), Josh Holmes (74) and David Embleton (37) ensuring the draw (10 points), after early inroads were made by Michael Walker (4-33).

Town however, remain precariously close to the relegation spot, just four points ahead of Bill Quay.

Bill Quay gave themselves a massive boost of confidence, by winning their relegation match at home to Durham City.

Michael Orridge took 3-26 and Josh Eaton 2-14 to restrict City to 130 all out, with Andrew Hutchinson (36) top-scoring.

Chris Little (40no) and Alan Mustard (79no) quickly got stuck into the City attack to set up a crucial win.