With only three games to play, Castle Eden are now in a strong position to win the championship for the first time since they re-entered the league from the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League.

They were the only side to win in Saturday's rain affected programme and are now 22 points ahead of Seaham Park.

Tony Banks came up trumps when Ryhope batted first. He claimed the wickets of the first two batsmen who managed just a couple of runs between them and went on to finish with the excellent figures of seven for 60.

John Minniss struck a half-century and Kristien Summerside added an unbeaten 36 but the modest total of 130 proved to be insuffient.

Gerard Magee, John Spellman Snr, Michael Higgin and Allan Unsworth all passed the 20 mark leading Castle Eden to a crucial six-wicket win.

Seaham Park bowled out Peterlee for only 115 in 41.3 overs but were unable to start their innings. Stephen McCoy held them at bay contributing 71 with two sixes and eight fours and only one other player, Dale Butler made double figures.

Michael McNicholas was another bowler in outstanding form and claimed five wickets for a mere 12 runs. James Taylor and Ian White both picked up a couple of wickets.

With only three games to play, Murton's chances of retaining the title have all but ended. Their rain-affected game with Boldon CA was reduced to a total of 68 overs and Murton were close to suffering defeat.

They declared following 38 overs with 125 for nine on the board with five of the wickets falling to Gary Critchley for 50 runs in a continuous spell of 19 overs.

Gary Frater opened with 63 (ten fours) and Karl Bellerby added 31 as Boldon went close, ending on 123 for six in 30 overs.

Nothing much has gone right for bottom-of-the-table Houghton this season and just when it looked that they might chalk up their first win along came the rain to end their chances.

They had Easington on 47 for five from 22 overs after Houghton had posted 156-7 in 50 overs. Brian Daniels and Robbie Atherton both took four wickets in the home attack.

Silksworth also looked in a good position at Bill Quay who were 73 for five after Chris Pringle captured four wickets for only 26 runs. Shaun Smith though was still at the wicket unbeaten on 36 posing a threat to the visitors' chances.

Paul Smailes (43) and George Bevan (39) formed a productive partnership for the third wicket before Ian Laverick, batting late in the order, hit an unbeaten 53 leading Silksworth to 185 for nine.

Smith was also in good form with the ball for Bill Quay taking five of the wickets for 56 runs.

Little play was possible at Dawdon where Washington were 43 for three before the game had to be abandoned.