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Durham Boys’ Under 18s top their County Championship North group after securing a draw with Lancashire at AO Farington Cricket Ground. Ethan Hill claimed nine wickets in the match while batting contributions from Jack Benkenstein and Thomas Briggs left Durham a steady position before rain arrived on day three. Owen Harwood opted to send the hosts in to bowl first, with Hill striking twice to reduce the Red Rose to 55/3. Coby Campbell (62) and Luke Hands (58) both passed fifty as Lancashire reached 132 before Hill and Teddy Minto ripped into the middle order. Hill picked up figures of 5/61 inside twelve overs while Minto’s figures of 4/71 saw the hosts dismissed for 246. Benkenstein led the way in response for the Ds scoring 81 from 74 balls featuring 12 fours and three sixes, helping Durham into a lead of 22. Briggs added 49 from 41 balls at the top of the order, notching nine boundaries as Will Gidman’s side made 268. Hill then continued his strong outing with the ball taking four wickets in the second innings as Lancashire looked to set Durham a day three target. Liam Yahathugoda’s century, backed up by fifties for Hands and George Harris had the hosts in a dominant position at 226/2. Quick wickets then fell with Durham claiming six more scalps, the Red Rose declaring on 282/8 on day three. Persistent rain though saw the final day called off with only eight balls being bowled in the Durham innings. Durham top the group with 79 points from their five Championship fixtures – seven points ahead of Lancashire, enjoying victories over Derbyshire and Leicestershire while also drawing with Nottinghamshire.