Durham close gap on title rivals

County Cricket / Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Durham are up to second in the County Championship Division One after an impressive six-wicket victory over Yorkshire.

Having been set 131 to win at the Riverside, the home side looked like they might throw away the chance of cutting Yorkshire's lead at the top of the table.

The Tykes reduced Durham to 35-3 but opener Michael Di Venuto hit a half century to help them get towards the finish line.

Dale Benkenstein (32 not out) and Phil Mustard (22 not out) saw Durham home and helped them inflict a first Championship defeat of the season for Martin Moxon's Yorkshire.

Durham picked up 22 points for their success and Yorkshire just four, which sees Geoff Cook's men move up to second in the table. Table toppers Yorkshire have 81 points with Durham on 76.5 points.

Despite the defeat, Betfair punters still see Yorkshire as the favourites to claim the title this summer with the Tykes trading at 3.15. Durham can be backed at 7 to win their first ever title.