Silksworth defeated one-time leaders Hylton, but their chances of overhauling table-topping Murton, who were without a game, are remote to say the least.

Murton will be the only side to be involved in a double programme next weekend when they will require just six points from a possible 40 to start the celebrations.

Silksworth though have not given up the challenge and they secured the runners-up position, defeating Hylton by six wickets.

Joe Bittlestone opened with 49, but the Hylton batsmen did not find it easy-going against the four-pronged Silksworth attack. Stephen Wright, Graeme Weeks and Mark Foster shared the wickets as the innings ended on 148 all out.

There was an early success for Hylton, but skipper David Tait and Weeks ensured victory for the visitors when they both contributed half centuries.

Castle Eden, who at one time were strong contenders for the title, secured an eight-wickets victory in their penultimate fixture at Houghton. A good innings of 56 by Ian Hauxwell featured in the Houghton total of 148, but it was Allan Unsworth who took the eye when he claimed seven wickets for 80 runs.

Unsworth then became man-of-the-match when he struck 70, which together with 35 from Gerard Magee earned Castle Eden a comfortable success.

Boldon CA had 30 runs to spare at Easington, where they posted 199-7. After two wickets had fallen cheaply, Boldon recovered through a third-wicket stand between Gary Critchley with 68 and Karl Bellerby (58).

When the overs expired, Boldon were just a run short of 200 with five of the seven wickets falling to Michael Massey for 57 runs.

Paul Neasham (25) and James Robson (71) raised the hopes of Easington with a productive opening partnership, but following their dismissals, only Wilson, with 39, offered serious resistance and the innings closed on 169.

Dawdon were involved in a high-scoring drawn game with Bill Quay. Bobby Stephenson struck an unbeaten century and Kevin Cahill ended unbeaten on 46 as the visitors realised 230-5 before declaring.

Bill Quay's reply got off to a poor start, but David Hunt (70 not out) and Michael Towns with an undefeated 60, first retrieved the position before taking their side to 197 with an unbeaten century partnership for the fifth wicket.

Ryhope were another side to score freely but were unable to secure victory when they visited Seaham Park. Graeme Anderson (45) and John Minniss, with 57, contributed most of the runs to a total of 189-9, with Michael Evans returning a creditable 4-48 and David Morton 3-27 in the home attack.

Graeme Jobes opened Seaham's reply scoring 43 and Morton added 32, but the reply produced only a total of 140-7, earning the improving home side a share of the points.