Northamptonshire continued their fabulous start to this season's Vitality Blast with a thrilling bowler-dominated seven-run win over Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside, defending a 146-target. The Steelbacks claimed this low-scoring cross-group clash to secure a fifth straight win and strengthen their position atop the Central and West Group. They were particularly impressive in defence as North Group side Durham lost their third game in five. The seam of James Sales comfortably defended 14 off the last over and finished with 2 for 10 from two. Ben McKinney top-scored with 33 for Durham. Northamptonshire's 145 for 9 saw Justin Broad top-score with 36 off 32 balls. Left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson was excellent with 3 for 19. Pacy Kasey Aldridge also struck twice and claimed three catches. Lewis Broad hit 2 leg-side sixes and added 47 for the 5th wicket with Saif Zaib, who made 25.But scoring was tough on a sluggish pitch. Northants lost 5 wickets for 26 runs in the last 4 overs. Nathan Sowter’s legspin got Zaib. Broad miscued to long-on off Raine’s seam. Callum Aldridge took 2 wickets in that period, including a caught-and-bowled to dismiss Lewis McManus. Durham’s Chase – Early Strike David Willey struck first ball, Graham Clark guiding to backward point. Alex McKinney then got off to a quick start for Durham. Bottom line: Broad’s late sixes and a 47-run stand with Zaib gave Northants some momentum, but a late collapse saw them lose 5/26. Durham then lost Clark first ball but McKinney counter-attacked. Will Rhodes and Raine tried to recover, only for the latter to be bowled by Sales - 113 for 7 after 17. The target became 24 off the last two overs and 14 off the last with Rhodes on 29 and T20 debutant bowler James Minto at the crease. Nerveless Sales had Rhodes caught at mid-off for 31 in the last.