The championship race is set for an exciting conclusion with Murton and Castle Eden, separated by two points, pitched together for next Saturday's final day.

Both were again at their best to keep the pot boiling for the grandstand finish.

Leaders Murton defeated Easington and Castle Eden got the better of Seaham Park.

The Castle had to produce one of their best batting performances of the season to dispose of the Park, who had posted a formidable 184-6 with a superb century from opener David Hanson.

But a confident start by Dean Langridge, who hit 57, and another half-century from John Spellman senior put them in command and they passed their target with six wickets to spare.

Murton had Calvin Stephenson to thank for their success at Easington as he grabbed two wickets and was then unbeaten with 51.

They had bowled out the home side for 99 with Glen Riddle taking three for 17 and Joe Dodd three for 40.

But Brian Daniel (3-28) and Gary Ward (3-43) made early inroads into the Murton batting and it needed Stephenson at his best to get them through to a four-wicket victory.

Third place is up for grabs with three clubs involved but Bill Quay, who won at Ryhope, are the most likely to succeed.

They had their work cut out to keep ten points ahead of Boldon.

Half-centuries from Jeff Tudor and Daniel Pearson carried them to a winning score of 191 with two wickets to spare.

Ryhope's Robbie Atherton (55) gave the Quay's bowlers plenty to think about before Chris Little dismissed him on the way to claiming figures of four for 19.

Boldon edged Silksworth out of fourth place by beating them by a comfortable margin of seven wickets with Gary Critchley (40 not out) their star man.

Bottom club, Peterlee lost for the 13th time in 19 games when they were bowled out for just 94 at Washington.

Andy Wilkie (5-17) did the damage before Philip Hooper (40) top scored for Washington to win by five wickets.