Pacemakers Burnmoor and Whitburn pulled further in front of the opposition at the top of the Foster's Durham Senior League on a day when other games were hit by the weather.
South African Brett Pelser again showed his outstanding skills with both bat and ball as Burnmoor demolished Seaham. He hit his second century of the season and then took four wickets for just 18 runs as the visitors were bowled out for 43.
Pelser had the ideal opening partner in Dews, who made 47 and also gave the Seaham bowlers a tough examination. Together they scored all but 37 of the Moor's 189-4.
But Pelser is leading those in the running to be first to 500 runs - having scored 347 already from his three innings.
When Seaham replied it wasn't just Pelser (4-18) who caused them problems. Conn (3-3) and Thursfield (3-12) were also in the match winning trio.
With Burnmoor just seven points in front, Whitburn needed another top performance to stay on course for a renewed title fight with the old enemy.
And there was another impressive batting performance with Ashley Thorpe and Neil Ayre taking centre stage.
They shared a big second wicket partnership against Felling who they went on to beat by a 157-run margin.
Thorpe made 112, his first century of the season, with Ayre (76) taking Whitburn to 236-3.
In reply, Felling could only muster 79 with Tony Greaves (5-32) making the early breakthroughs.
Thorpe, who took two wickets for just one run, proved just how important his all-round ability is to the team.
Eppleton, who lost their first two games, showed better form at Philadelphia where they got more of the points in a drawn finish.
Hall top scored with 82 as the visitors chalked up a useful 190-9 despite four wickets from Michael Walker for Philly.
It was left to Gerhard De Bruin to spearhead an eighth wicket stand to save the match for the home side after their early batting showed little spark. De Bruin was unbeaten on 20 as Philadelphia finished up with 87-7.
Boldon are in third place after beating Marsden but the games at Horden, who were due to meet Hetton Lyons, and at South Hetton, where a bottom-of-the-table meeting with Durham City was scheduled, were both abandoned due to the rain.
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