SIlksworth, runners-up last season, indicated that they will again be strong contenders when they sent Hylton crashing to just 48 all out.

Hylton had no answer to the bowling of Chris Pringle who returned figures of 6-15. Batting first, Silksworth recovered after losing a couple of early wickets and Graeme Weeks, with a half century, and Paul Harrison (37) steered the side to 162 all out.

Peterlee and Ryhope scored more than 400 runs but the match ended in a draw when delicately poised. Half centuries by Min Mahil and Michael Garraghan took the home side to 221-6 but when Marc Hopkinson and John Minnis also passed 50, Ryhope were in with a chance before ending at 198-7. The runs also flowed at Bill Quay where Castle Eden posted the biggest score of the day, 268-5. Alan Unsworth (105), and John Spellman junior (83) added 174 runs for the third wicket.

After their first four batsmen had contributed only 21 runs between them, Bill Quay recovered to 163-8 at stumps. Boldon CA celebrated a seven-wicket win at Seaham Park who could only muster 147. Murton's batsmen struggled at Easington where Steve Hanson (4-44) and Robbie Atherton (3-44) had them pegged back at 114-7 when time was called. Easington's 162-8 came mainly from David Kennedy with 43 and Michael Tonra (32).

An unbroken six-wicket partnership between Kenny Marriott (39 no) and Ian Hauxwell (42 no), steered Houghton to a five-wicket win at home to Dawdon.

* In the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League, Sacriston maintained their position at the top with a five-wicket victory against Shotley Bridge at The Spa.

Not even a century by Kevin Penney could earn Ryton victory at Swalwell. He was run out on 101 and his side ended five runs short of victory with two wickets intact.

After losing their first game, Ashington have hit form and Lanchester were their latest victims. Surjit Singh was again the matchwinner with the ball, returning 6-40 to reduce Lanchester to 101. Neil Wood (78) was the main contributor to the Collierymen's total of 194-5. Tynedale had only 13 runs to spare following a high-scoring contest with Lintz. Richard Darling remained undefeated on 72 when a near-200 total was recorded and in reply, David Nevin almost snatched victory for Lintz ending with 62 not out.

Elsewhere, Annfield Plain reached 268 losing only the wicket of Aldo van den Berg for 80. Burnopfield never got to grips with their huge task and finished with 150-9. Benwell and Walbottle faced a target of just 68 but lost five wickets before seeing off the challenge from Consett who batted for 23 overs making 67.