Durham Coast League: A magnificent all-round performance by Shoaib Akhtar earned Dawdon the quickest win of the day which keeps them on the fringe of the race for the championship. Akhtar just about single-handedly demolished the Houghton innings when he captured eight wickets for just 22 runs in a blistering 15-over spell of pace bowling.

Despite a valiant attempt by skipper Ian Hauxwell who contributed 24, Houghton were all out in 29 overs for just 59. Akhtar then took over with the bat, crashing two sixes and eight boundaries in an unbeaten 46 as Dawdon romped home to a crushing nine-wicket win.

Murton remain in pole position despite being held to a draw by Boldon CA, who have managed just one win all season. David Jones (39) and Gary Critchley, who batted throughout the innings for an undefeated 83, formed a troublesome opening stand but once it was broken the innings collapsed.

Indeed, only George Lincoln batting at number nine managed double figures as Calvin Stephenson was another player to take eight wickets. It was his performance which saw Boldon stutter to 165 all out but although Richard Lowes finished undefeated on 66 after opening, Murton could only manage 148-8 as Lincoln claimed 5-40.

Silksworth are now 16 points behind Murton after comfortably defeating Easington. David Kennedy's 57 was the highlight of the Easington innings which totalled only 132 as Stephen Wright and Chris Pringle shared seven wickets. Captain David Tate (38) and Paul Smailes with 32 put their side into a commanding position at the wicket and the task was completed by Phil Smailes.

An undefeated century from John Minniss was the feature of Ryhope's victory against Seaham Park. Graeme Anderson contributed a half century to the impressive total of 224-5 declared and although there were useful contributions down the order, Seaham could only manage 169 all out.

David Morton (32), Andrew Docherty with 30 and Michael Evans, who scored 50 at number nine, all struck form but Paul Watson (3-25) and man-of-the-match Minniss with 4-32 proved to be the matchwinners.

Peterlee found Chris Pleasants in top form and his seven-wicket haul ended in a 94-run defeat at Bill Quay despite a good half century from Dale Butler.

Runs were a lot more plentiful when the Quay made first use of the wicket. Openers Jeff Tudor (65) and Will Gardner with 54 set the scene before an unbeaten 38 from David Hunt took the total to 200-2.

Hylton had nine wickets to spare at home to Castle Eden. Debutant Steve Horsley opened with 48 and John Spellman junior added 44 but even so the visitors realised only 136-9 in 50 overs as Keith Trotter returned 4-56 from 15 overs. Lee Jackson struck one six and 13 boundaries making an undefeated 82 and 32 by Gary Braithwaite hurried Hylton to victory in just 18.2 overs.