SILKSWORTH were confident of making it three wins on the bounce but Easington rose to the occasion to chalk up a deserved five-wickets victory.

The Wearsider's total of 155 was reasonable on the rain-affected pitch and when they gained an early success, they were hopeful of victory. Easington quickly rallied and a third-wicket partnership between Ward (43) and John Moses with 49, set them on the way before victory was cemented with an unbeaten 37 from Robbie Atherton.

Paul Smailes (33) and Chris Pringle (38) gave the Silksworth innings a good send-off, and an unbeaten 34 from Craig and 27 not out by George Bevan took them to 155 for five. Atherton claimed three of the wickets for 60 runs.

Bill Quay went into their game with Boldon CA on the back of two victories but it was the visitors who came out on top by a ninewickets margin.

Their target was 134 and they were never in danger as David Jones (30) and Gary Critchley, whose unbeaten 64 included 11 boundaries, set them on their way.

Lee Auty bowled an economical 10.3 overs, five of them maidens, taking three for 31 and George Lincoln had the creditable figures of three for 21 from the five overs he delivered as Bill Quay stuttered to 133 all out in 36 overs.

Murton were the only other side with a 100 per cent record but they too failed to extend their winning run after being held by Ryhope.

Calvin Stephenson made a century leading Murton to 191 for six but Ryhope, with two defeats behind them, comfortably ended on 104 for four.

They lost early wickets before captain Ian Hauxwell (26 not out) and Paul Bennett (38 not out) came together in an unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket.

Champions Castle Eden lost for the second time in three games when Washington had a couple of wickets in hand. Steady bowling by the five-man home attack restricted Castle Eden to only 132, which included a top-scoring 30 by John Spellman junior.

Opener Nick Thompson (59) was solid for Washington and gradually victory was achieved with the ninth pair together. Peter Spellman and Jonathan Malkin shared seven of the eight wickets to fall.

Alan Dick and Andrew Worthy were prominent in Seaham Park's win at Dawdon in the local derby.

Dick delivered 24.3 overs taking six wickets for only 58 runs as Dawdon made a commendable 163, which included 48 with six fours by Craig Price and 34 from Anthony Gale.

Andrew Docherty with 33 gave the Seaham innings a good start but it was Worthy, whose undefeated 75 included four sixes and seven fours who was the winner.

Mark Ewart took four for 69 in 14 overs.

Houghton managed just 56 in 15 overs at Peterlee for whom Chris Ford and Mark Buckingham took seven wickets between them. Peterlee then lost four wickets but were never in danger, recording an initial success.