Durham Coast League: Seaham Park closed in on the leading pair when they enjoyed a romp against Silksworth and they have now won as many games as Murton and Castle Eden.

David Hanson has made a big difference to the Park and once again he was in form with the bat.

His innings of 44, together with 40 by David Morton, propelled Seaham to an impressive 180 for the loss of nine wickets even though Stephen Wright claimed six for 86 in the home attack. Silksworth's innings never threatened the championship challengers.

Michael McNicholas (4-13) and Michael Evans claimed early successes but it was Bobby Howe who ended any hopes the Wearsiders had of saving the game when he claimed four wickets for just three runs.

Murton's game with Dawdon ended in a draw. Faced with a target of 211, Dawdon were comfortable on 176 for six after openers Craig Price (30) and Michael Watson (64) had given their side the perfect start.

Calvin Stephenson captured four of the six wickets to fall and earlier he formed a century partnership with Neil Mulvaney (47). Stephenson's contribution was an unbeaten 81 and Jonathan Vout added 35 to the total of 210 for five.

Although Easington never threatened to win, they also easily claimed a share of the points at home to second-top Castle Eden. John Spellman junior has been in excellent form all season and he hit an unbeaten century in the Castle Eden total of 242 for four.

Jonathan Malkin (32), Dean Langridge with 42 and John Spellman senior (37 not out) all made useful additions. After losing Stuart Wilson and Ashley Cooper, Easington's innings was held together by a third-wicket partnership between David Kennedy (71) and Gary Ward with 37 and at stumps a total of 163 for seven was on the board.

Malkin was also in top form with the ball for the visitors, returning five for 49.

There were 10-wicket victories for two sides. Boldon CA dismissed Houghton for only 110 which included a top-scoring 32 by Shaun Hauxwell but the man-of-the-match was Gary Critchley whose impressive 18.2 overs earned him seven wickets for only 37 runs.

Houghton occupied the crease for 36.2 overs but it took Boldon CA just 12.5 overs to cement victory. Critchley's unbeaten 52 runs came entirely from boundaries while his opening partner David Jones (46 not out) struck ten fours.

Bill Quay's target at home to Ryhope was 182 but even so they won without conceding a wicket. Jeff Tudor (87 not out) and Matthew Dench (76 not out) dominated the seven-man Wearsiders' attack.

Paul Howe (68) was in good form for Ryhope and in the Quay attack Paul Bentham's three wickets cost him just eight runs and David Hunt returned three for 57.

Washington easily claimed a draw from their game at Peterlee where they were 150 for six at the end including 45 by Nick Thompson. Paul Griffith was in tremendous form for Peterlee who were in deep trouble when he went to the wicket after their first five batsmen had contributed only eight runs between them.

Griffith took control hitting 126 in partnership with Fort (44) and from a near-disastrous start Peterlee recovered to end with 200 for eight. Matthew Thompson returned a creditable four for 32 in the Washington attack.