Silksworth are back on top after Michael Kearney and Graeme Weeks led them to an eight-wicket victory at Houghton.

The target of 159 melted away once Weeks (59 no) joined Kearney in a second-wicket partnership after Phil Smailes had been dismissed without scoring. Former Philadelphia player Kearney took his side to within sight of victory when he was sent back for 78.

In addition to opener Gary Snowball making 32, Houghton had six other batsmen into double figures, but no one passed 20 as the innings closed at 158. Steve Wright, with 4-39 and Andrew Waterson (4-52) both shone.

Murton's reign at the top proved short-lived when they were held to a draw at Castle Eden. Howard Ramshaw was within 13 runs of a century when he fell and Richard Lowes contributed 30 to the Murton total of 175-7.

Allan Unsworth, who claimed three wickets for 37 runs in 17 overs, then top-performed in the Castle Eden innings with 37. But despite 35 from opener Gerard Magee, the innings only produced 132-7 by the time stumps were drawn. Calvin Stephenson bowled 17 overs in the Murton attack returning 3-47.

Peterlee maintained their strong challenge for honours, defeating Dawdon with more than 100 runs to spare. Several useful contributions down the order, including a top-scoring 37 from Nicky Beall, enabled Peterlee to post a respectable 177-5.

Dawdon's reply never gained momentum and their batsmen struggled against a five-man attack before the innings closed with only 76 on the board.

In contrast, Hylton romped to 241, losing just one wicket before applying the declaration after 48 overs at home to Ryhope.

Joe Bittlestone celebrated against his former club, striking a six and 14 fours in 80 sharing an opening partnership of 137 with his captain David Hanson whose unbeaten 88 included 11 boundaries.

Gary Hewitt (59 no) and Hanson then added 104 for the unbroken second wicket.

Hanson's early declaration proved profitable as Ryhope were not dismissed until the 52nd when they had accumulated 174. Alan Dick and Martin Briggs both passed 30 and Chris Errington added 51 with ten fours.

Seaham Park gave a better performance in holding Bill Quay to a draw. Andrew Docherty (46) and Akhtar (53 no) scored most of the runs when a total of 176-8 was compiled. Stephen Gould took four of the wickets for 31 runs.

When David Morton picked up three cheap wickets, Bill Quay were in danger but they staved off defeat mainly as a result of the efforts of Andrew Trotter (33).

Tarn (63) and Neasham (32) made the bulk of the runs in Easington's six-wicket defeat of Boldon CA. Steve Hanson's 6-31 restricted Boldon to 149 which included a top-scoring 41 by Andy O'Connell.