Durham Coast League: It was a stroll in the park for Murton on Saturday when they coasted to victory over Bill Quay to retain their position at the top of the table.

Early season, Bill Quay were joint-leaders but they failed to cope with the all-round strength of the champions who sent them back to the pavilion with just 84 runs on the board from 21.1 overs.

Calvin Stephenson, who is enjoying another successful season, claimed six wickets for a mere 38 runs in 11 overs, while Keith Chapman and newcomer David Naunton picked up two wickets apiece.

From then on, it was easy and Graeme Robson (30 not out) and Ian King with an unbeaten 42 put together an unbroken partnership worth 68 runs for the second wicket.

Castle Eden are second after they overtook the formidable Dawdon total of 189-9 with three wickets remaining.

Gerard Magee gave the reply a good send-off with 36, and following useful contributions down the order, Williams hit a valuable 32.

Craig Price and Michael Appleby kept Dawdon in the game sharing six wickets.

When the home side made first use of the wicket David Coates top-scored with 59 not out.

Jonathan Malkin bowled a good end in the Castle Eden attack, taking four of the nine wickets for 58 runs.

Seaham Park are unquestionably the most improved side at the moment.

They romped to a nine-wicket win over Houghton, who managed just 105, as Rob Howe (5-26) and Michael McNicholas (4-37) caused them problems.

There were no such worries for Andrew Docherty (39 not out) and James Taylor (55 not out) as they put together a match-winning unbroken partnership for the second wicket.

David Kennedy again showed form leading Easington to victory at home to Ryhope. He hit three sixes and seven boundaries in 59 not out and David Young contributed 36 to a winning total of 163-4 achieved in just 39 overs.

John Minniss also made a half-century in the Ryhope total of 162 all out, with Dane Wilson returning the economical figures of 4-33 from ten overs.

Newcomers Washington went down by six wickets to Boldon CA, whose match-winners were David Critchley, Michael Towns and Jason Jones, who all made half-centuries in their side's winning reply of 169 for the loss of four wickets.

Stephen Cuthbertson was another batsman in form for Washington. But despite making the game's top score of 67 before being run out, he still ended on the losing side.

Peterlee held on for a draw at Silksworth with nine of their batsmen out for just 89 runs.

John Rooney played a match-saving innings which earned him a personal 36 runs. Davison opened with 54 for Silksworth, who after losing early wickets recovered with useful contributions from Michael Waterson, Stephen Wright and skipper Steve Lobban.