Durham Coast League: Champions Murton coasted to victory over bottom-of-the-table Houghton whose batsmen struggled against the twin attack of professional Calvin Stephenson and the experienced Keith Chapman.

Stephenson claimed four for 32 runs and Chapman 3-28 as Houghton reached 88. The target was easy for Murton and Gary Robson (39) and Richard Lowes, with an unbeaten 27, put them on the path to an emphatic nine-wicket victory.

Runs were also scarce at Silksworth where Peterlee made 62. Stephen Hanson conceded 22 runs taking five wickets and Stephen Wright picked up the other five for 34 runs.

Although they conceded four wickets, Silksworth were never in serious difficulty even though Chris Ford bowled a good end claiming three wickets for 20 runs.

Dawdon and Easington struggled for runs and in a game which produced fewer than 200, Dawdon edged to a two-wicket victory.

Their target was only 96 but were made to work all the way as Brian Daniels returned the outstanding figures of 5-19.

When Easington batted first, they were reduced to 95 all out mainly by the bowling of Shoaib Akhtar, whose five wickets cost 25 runs.

Runs were more plentiful at Castle Eden who defeated Seaham Park by five wickets. Andrew Docherty's opening innings of 49 spearheaded the Park to 140 even though Tony Banks, introduced as second change into the home attack, had the splendid analysis of 6-22.

There were three early successes for Seaham but the ever-reliable Allan Unsworth (52) and David Garraghan (36 not out) saw Castle Eden to a comfortable victory.

Ryhope posted the biggest score of the day when they reached 225 in 47 overs against Boldon CA. Graeme Anderson struck three sixes and 13 boundaries out of 81 even though Carl Bellerby bowled well in the Boldon attack earning figures of 4-47 in 14 overs, including five maidens.

Boldon's reply never threatened and they were all out in 32 overs for just 103. Phil Bennett took 4-45 in 11 overs while Graham Smith conceded just 11 runs capturing four wickets and Ryhope had eight overs to spare when they took the last wicket.