WITH the rain sweeping back into the region the only winners on Saturday were those not scheduled to play, and a further twist was added to a season blighted by the weather.

With closest challengers Murton having rescheduled their match, leaders Castle Eden had a real chance to put clear daylight between themselves and the rest, but the only thing clear at the end of the day was the frustration.

One saving grace for Castle in their home match was that visitors Boldon had been putting up a real fight and were in the driving seat when the game ended prematurely.

Skipper Gary Critchley had batted beautifully for Boldon as he carried his bat for 72, an innings that formed the bedrock of a challenging 183 for seven.

Lee Jackson added valuable support with 45 as Jon Malkin took another three wickets.

When Castle batted they lost their two opening batsmen to the bowling of Brian Conlon and Ian Bellerby and were far from comfortable on 29 for two when the match ended with eight points going to each side.

Silksworth's hopes were even more severely affected with their match at Ryhope called off without a ball being bowled which left them level with Boldon in second spot, and while both have a game in hand on the leaders the 35 point gap may now be too much to make up.

Murton's inactivity meant they slipped down to fifth, the 38 point deficit on Castle could be made up by their two matches in hand, and with the two set to meet on the last day of the season that match could yet be a straight play off for the title.

Washington looked well in control of their home game with Dawdon when the rains hit.

Stephen Cuthbertson hit a half century and Phil Hooper 41 to get them off to the best of starts, and then Mark Lee added the icing to the cake with an unbeaten 51 which enabled the home team to declare on 214 for five.

Daniel Talbot, Hooper and Lee all struck with the ball and when Anthony Gale was run out for 15 Dawdon were struggling on 68 for four and were grateful for the downpour that prevented further questions being asked.

James Taylor's 37 was the main feature of Seaham Park's home score of 151 against Easington. Park had found Gary Ward (four for 37) and Jason Robson (three for 24) generally too hot to handle, but then Taylor (two for 33) and Michael Evans (one for 14) struck back and the game was in the balance with Easington on 59 for three when it disappointingly finished early.