Durham Cricket League: It's Dodd almighty as Littletown extend lead at the top of Division Two

Littletown batsman Matt Dench watches as Murton bowler Sam Sanderson goes close to catching him out. Picture by Tim Richardson

Murton were the villagers’ 10th victims in 15 league games this term, with experienced Joe Dodd’s brilliant 7-23 leading the way against his former club and limiting the home side to just 89.

Murton batted out only 19.5 overs as Dodd held sway, backed by three wickets from Shashikant Kadam. Chris Winn hit 45 in vain for Murton, with Jordan Vout the only other batsman to reach double figures.

Dan Pearson stroked 39 to ease Littletown home by six wickets in 20.3 overs, with Gregg Arundel unbeaten on 20 at the close. Murton bowler Phumzile Yiba plundered 3-27 in eight overs.

Peterlee are now 23 points behind the leaders, and they perhaps batted on too long at home to Evenwood.

The home side racked up 269-8 declared with a brilliant century from Aaron Shellie (131) and 32 not out from Shrey Sanjiva Bhatt, but Evenwood held on for the draw with a decent 209-9, with Mairaj Khan (55) and Daniel Wallace (60) keeping the Peterlee attack at bay.

Ryhope in third, had a massive 207-run home win over lowly Houghton, who only had nine men. Adrian Hedley hit 16 fours and six sixes in his 54-ball knock of 110 and fellow opener Paul Jenkin hit 14 fours and six sixes in 109 not out. The pair put on 146 for the first wicket, with Dan Douglas’s unbeaten 41, with seven fours and a six, taking them to 269-1 declared after 27 overs.

Sagar Udeshi claimed 7-16, including a hat-trick, as Houghton were bowled out on 62-8 for an easy win. Gandhawar Bhatawadekar top-scored with 29 for Houghton.

Whiteleas are now 32 points behind the leaders, following their derby loss at Marsden.

They batted first and made only 135, mainly thanks largely to Scott Oliver’s 49 not out. Sura Malinga (4-29) and Andrew Ainsley (3-16) had them in all sorts of bother.

The home side then knocked off the runs for the loss of six wickets, Elliott (60) and Malinga (33) steered them home.

Silksworth went down by five wickets to Boldon CA.

Michael Waterson top-scored with 39 for the bottom club as they were bowled out for 150 in 38 overs, as Dominic Slater had a day to savour, grabbing 6-20

Openers David Jones (40) and David Johnston (47) set up Boldon CA’s success, clinched by Adam Slater’s unbeaten 42. Stuart Middlemiss took 3-32 in vain for Silksworth.

Ushaw Moor had a convincing 118 run win at home to Langley Park. John Southeran with 67, Steven Parnaby 30, top scored in a total of 205-8 declared. In reply, Langley slumped to 87 all out with Simon Huscroft scoring 44 not out and Stephen Hancock with 4-18 and Jamie Robinson 3-6 cleaned them up after tea.