Durham Coast League: AFTER brilliant sunshine on Saturday, the heavens opened yesterday with rain causing the abandonment of all six matches.

The 12 teams were each allocated five points leaving Hylton narrowly in front of Murton at the top.

Peterlee made a reasonable start at Hylton where Nicky Beall guided them to 57-2 scoring an unbeaten 33, while Murton were 58 for the loss of one wicket in their home game with Bill Quay.

Bottom-of-the-table Houghton looked to be on their way to a useful score. Paul Elliott (28) and Gary Robinson (25) took them to 80-3 against Easington, while Boldon CA had posted 107-7 at Ryhope where Lee Jackson top scored with 39.

On Saturday Murton lost for the first time and conceded pole position when Dawdon unexpectedly claimed their first win of the season.

Neville Gustard (4-25) and Jamie Greenwood (3-18) combined to send Murton back to the pavilion with only 117 runs on the board before Chris Price put Dawdon into a winning position scoring 40. Calvin McNicholas completed the win, unbeaten on 26.

Hylton maintained their unbeaten record following their high-scoring draw at Bill Quay. Gary Hewitt led the visitors' innings when he carried his bat for 106 which together with 60 by captain David Hanson propelled Hylton to a useful 232-4.

Bill Quay lost two early wickets before David Orridge steadied the ship. His 76 was crucial and towards the end, Kevin Willey remained undefeated on 27 out of a total of 197-8.

Castle Eden are enjoying a good season and they had no difficulty seeing off the challenge from Ryhope - another side to concede their unbeaten record.

Neil Race and Tony Banks shared six wickets as Ryhope realised only 106. Gerard Magee opened for Castle and was still there at the end on 37 not out.

Despite facing a target of 185, Silksworth had eight wickets in hand at Peterlee. David Tate was another player to bat throughout making an undefeated 88 enjoying a century-opening partnership with Phil Smailes (58).

Tate also starred with the ball, returning 4-32 and five wickets by Mark Foster kept the home side at bay although Keith Hewson and Nicky Beall both hit fifties.

Boldon CA finished 33 runs ahead of Houghton following a high-scoring game. Lee Jackson (79) and Gary Frater (35) enabled Boldon to declare on 215-6. Houghton's response saw early setbacks before Gary Robinson (44) and Jones with 68 took the total to 182. Both George Lincoln and Ian Bellerby claimed four wickets in the Boldon attack.

Despite dismissing Seaham Park for just 91, Easington had their work cut out before winning with just two wickets remaining. James Taylor had figures of 4-28.

* A man-of-the-match performance by Harry Hubber swept Sacriston to victory over Ashington and into the top half of the table in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League.

He claimed five wickets as the Colliers slipped from a good start to 203 all out.

But it was with the bat that Hubber really shone and he finished undefeated on 104, forming an unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket with David Metcalf who scored 68. David Rutherford took five wickets for Ashington.

Ryton are the only side without a victory and their problems at the bottom were compounded by the Clennell brothers who led Lintz to a comfortable victory. Stuart (73 not out) and Graham (60) ensured an eight-wicket success.

Graham also picked up 3-24, when Ryton batted first and posted 173-7 which included a half century by Kevin Penny and 38 not out from Peter Moore.

There is no change at the top with four points separating leaders Lanchester from Newcastle City. Swalwell were restricted to 145 by Lanchester, who eased to victory with Brian Potts and Banda both hitting unbeaten half centuries.

Masood Mirza and Pargetar did most of the damage when Annfield Plain were sent back for just 100 by Newcastle City who won losing just three wickets.