Durham Coast League: Murton enjoyed a romp in the sun at Boldon CA to serve notice that they will again be strong candidates for the championship.

Calvin Stephenson and Shaun Smith restricted the home side to below 100 with Murton strolling to victory without losing a wicket.

Min Mahil stroked nine boundaries in his 46 and Richard Lowes was 40 not out.

Bill Quay are another side setting the early-season pace. They comfortably defeated Peterlee after restricting their opponents to 117 before easily overhauling the total for the loss of three wickets.

Silksworth suffered a heavy defeat at Easington. David Kennedy was unquestionably the match-winner. He hit no fewer than five sixes and 20 fours in a whirlwind unbeaten 140 enabling Easington to declare on 229-4 from 46 overs.

Silksworth's innings started badly but Steve Lobban added respectability, striking two sixes and eight fours in his 62. But it was all over after 36 overs with Easington winning by 102 runs. Atherton followed up his batting performance taking 4-25 in 14 overs but the day belonged to Kennedy.

Ryhope returned to winning form at Seaham Park. David Moorhead (33) and Ian White (30) figured in a late partnership taking Seaham to a useful 152. The visitors were never in danger as Graeme Anderson (68) and John Minnis (47 no) saw them home.

Castle Eden were on top in their drawn game with Hylton who were struggling on 125-8 from 38 overs. Batting first, Castle Eden hit 207.

Houghton, fielding an inexperienced side, were dismissed for just 63 in 33 overs by Dawdon for whom Shoaib Akhtar returned figures of 4-12.

Akhtar then hit 31 as Dawdon celebrated a six-wicket victory in 18 overs.