Bill Quay remain leaders, but it's desperately close with eight clubs separated by 22 points.

The Quay have a two-point advantage over Seaham Park, but it could have been more if rain had not ended their clash with Easington.

Set 197 to win, unbeaten Quay had reached 53 for three and ready to take the initiative when the storm clouds arrived. Jones scored 88 for Easington but Brown (5-73) and Little (3-55) struck vital blows for Quay.

Seaham Park missed a chance to go top when they again failed to bowl out the opposition.

Silksworth held out with eight wickets down, Stephen Wright (45 not out) and Stephen Lobban (21 not out) earning a useful draw. Seaham opener, U Akhtar, hit a half century as they finished with 157 before Taylor (4-27) got among the Silksworth batsmen.

Dawdon looked vulnerable after Castle Eden set a target of 165. John Malkin (4-34) looked to have put the Castle on the way to victory but Dawdon held out - eight wickets down but 26 runs short.

Murton overwhelmed Washington by seven wickets with each of their top five batsmen getting runs. The home total of 142 included a half-century from Matt Thompson but his colleagues fell into the trap set by Calvin Stephenson (5-30).

Bottom club Peterlee continued to find life tough and suffered their fifth successive defeat at home to Boldon.

Jones (53) and Critchley (41 not out) made sure Boldon won at a canter after dismissing the home side for just 106.

Peterlee again finished without a point, and have just three for the season.

Tynedale grabbed a fifth victory to go to the top of the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League , as unlucky Swalwell lost their 100 per cent record to the weather.

The rain washed out Swalwell's game at Shotley Bridge as Tynedale were sweeping all before them in an impressive win over the bottom club Percy Main, who were bowled out for 145 in reply to 308 for four-4.

The only downside for the champions was that in-form Scott Kay missed out on a century by five runs. He set the tone for Stuart Graham (67 not out), Barber (54 not out) and Neil Clark (44).

In the Main's reply, Mohtashim Ali made a half century and there was resistance by the tail-enders but Armstrong's four wickets made sure there was no upset and Tynedale won by 163 runs.

Swalwell's bad luck meant they could not be guaranteed a victory to keep them as league leaders.

Shotley Bridge set a daunting task by scoring 244 for four with a magnificent century from Peter Collingwood. Swalwell's reply was just a few overs old when a halt was called.

Lintz aren't getting any luck with the weather either, as once again they were victims of the elements. Richard Brewis made 70 when Lintz posted 186 for eight and they had two Newcastle City wickets down cheaply when the rain called a halt.

Unluckiest player of the weekend must be Sacriston's Harry Hubber, who was out needing one run for his century against Ashington. There was nothing he could do but watch with admiration as their opponents' opening batsmen, Neil Wood (89 not out) and Straker (74 not out) raced their side to a staggering ten-wicket success.