Durham Coast League, Under-18: Peterlee failed by just eight runs to overtake the Houghton total of 103 all out, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Griffiths 30 and Laidler 23no raised the hopes of Peterlee, but White claimed four wickets for only 12 runs and the innings produced 96 after Houghton batting first had realised 103 without losing a wicket. Bowman carried his bat for 51 and Keane added an undefeated 22 for Houghton.

Dawdon comfortably defeated Murton after Jamie Greenwood led his side to 104 for three scoring 54 not out. Murton responded with 67 for five which included 26 by Callum Milne, while in the Dawdon attack none performed better than Liam Gustard with three for 12.

Castle Eden managed only 56 for six and lost by seven wickets to Ryhope. Tudpall top scored with 21no and for Ryhope Dan Clasper returned two for 15 and Christian Summerside two for nine. Ryhope replied with 57 for three and almost all the runs came from Howe with an unbeaten half-century.

Hylton totalled only 50 for eight and lost by nine wickets to Bill Quay for whom Basham captured three wickets for 15 runs. Conlon 32 was the top scorer for Hylton.

Seaham Park lost by six wickets to Boldon CA who reached the target of 66 mainly as a result of an excellent batting performance by Gary Frater with 41. Thomas Kane top scored with 22 when Seaham Park totalled 65 for eight from their 20 overs. Carl Bellerby had three for 11, Tony Lincoln two for ten and Keith Straughter two for 14 in the Boldon attack.

Under-15

Blackhall enjoyed a ten wicket romp at Murton where they reduced the home team to 45 all out, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

C Bell claimed four of the wickets for 14 runs in four overs and M Bell was equally impressive capturing three for five from the eight balls he delivered.

In contrast, runs were plentiful when Blackhall replied and made 48 without losing a wicket.

K Powell carried his bat for 20 and White was unbeaten on 14.

Runs were more plentiful at Bill Quay where Castle Eden won by five wickets. Aaron Farrell top scored with 30 as the home side made 89 for five but even though Cyril Sneer returned the excellent figures of five for 32 Castle Eden still won with half their wickets still remaining.

The Readers Durham County League

Under-15

Jonathan Rochford was in splendid form leading Esh Winning to the formidable total of 146 for seven in the home game with Crook Town, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

The talented youngster hit one six and nine boundaries as he carried his bat for 66 which together with 35 from Stephen Jackson with three fours, enabled Esh to set Crook a big challenge.

Foster took two wickets for 17 runs in three overs and Jane two for 28 from five overs in the Crook attack, but when they replied the visitors found Michael Oughton and Natalie Howarth in splendid form with the ball for Esh. Oughton returned three for six from three overs while Howarth bowled nine balls and claimed three wickets for three runs.

Bishop Auckland were restricted to 66 for six when Evenwood who won by eight wickets. Nevison top scored with 35 for Bishops and for the home side Michael Robinson took three wickets for 12 runs in five overs.

Responding Evenwood had Lee Forster in good form as he ended undefeated on 38 while Ryan Nicholson add a useful 15 runs.

Lucas Jackson struck six boundaries out of 56 when Tudhoe ended on 130 for four which included no fewer than 36 extras against Mainsforth. Peter Whent took two of the four Tudhoe wickets to fall at a cost of 34 runs in five overs. But when they replied Mainsforth could only muster 37 all out. The majority of the runs came from captain Beattie who had one boundary in an unbeaten 23 while for Tudhoe Ross Hodgson claimed two wickets for two runs and Daniel Petts two for three.

Langley Park defeated Willington by 33 runs. Batting first the visitors realised 97 for four which included 24 by Wynn with four boundaries and 23 from P Moralee.

Alex Evans was in good form with the ball for Willington collecting three of the four wickets to go down for 19 runs in five overs.

Replying Willington only made 64 for eight as J Moralee took two for 14, P Moralee two for three and Brennan two for seven.