Durham Coast League: Hylton beat the weather and Dawdon to rekindle their hopes of retaining the championship.

Once they bowled out their opponents for just 113 in 48.4 overs, it seemed that only further rain could dampen their march to victory and 20 crucial points.

And although Joe Bittlestone and captain David Hanson went relatively cheaply, Gary Hewitt and David Batty never looked back as they swept Hylton to an eight-wicket victory.

They finished with the identical score of 33 not out, Hewitt hitting five fours and Batty one six and four boundaries, as the runs were accumulated from only 20 overs.

When they batted first, Dawdon laboured through their 48.4 overs, making their modest total with a little help from Jamie Greenwood (46). Batty returned 4-32 from 14.4 overs and the evergreen Owen Williamson showed that he had lost none of his skills when he claimed three wickets for only nine runs in nine overs, seven of which were maidens.

Castle Eden stay top despite their game at Easington ending in a draw.

It appeared that Easington were in the ascendancy at close of play.

Replying to a target of 151, the leaders were 111 with eight of their batsmen back in the pavilion. Five of the wickets were taken by David Kennedy for just 42 runs as he delivered another impressive performance.

So too did Allan Unsworth in the Castle Eden attack. Five wickets were credited to him for 71 runs but man-of-the-match Kennedy (57) and Jason Robson with 32, ensured that Castle Eden's batsmen would have a task on their hands.

The game of the day between title-hopefuls Murton and Silksworth was eventually washed out. Phil Smailes (76), Chris Pringle (49) and Steve Wright with 54, propelled Silksworth into a good position at 218-7. Murton did not get to the wicket and the sides were awarded just five points each.

Peterlee, who made an indifferent start to the season, moved further up the table with a seven-wicket win at home to Bill Quay. Keith Hewson, with four wickets for 35 runs and Chris Ford (3-54), restricted the visitors to 153, of which Will Gardiner scored 36 and David Hunter 34.

Hewson added to his bowling performance by becoming Peterlee's hero with the bat. He dominated a second-wicket partnership with Michael Garrigan (27 not out) and when he was dismissed for 74 victory was within sight.

Paul Watson set Ryhope up for a seven-wickets success at Houghton, where he bowled unchanged, taking seven wickets for 43 runs in 20 overs, including six maidens.

The home managed only 113 all out in 39 overs and replying the visitors romped home in 32 overs.

John Minniss struck seven boundaries in 39 made from 41 balls, but it was Kris Taylor who gave the innings momentum when he took an unbeaten 38 off the Houghton attack. He faced just 25 deliveries and hit one six and three fours.

Only eight overs were possible at Seaham Park, where Boldon CA were 50 without loss. A deluge meant there was no chance of play resuming.