Murton conceded the championship last season, but are back in pole position following victory over Bill Quay.

The Quay briefly flirted with the top earlier in the campaign, but found the home attack of Calvin Stephenson and Joe Dodd just too hot to handle.

Although Shaun Smith added 34 batting at number four, the innings produced only a modest 116 as Stephenson claimed five of the wickets for 44 runs.

Alan Loscombe (30) then steadied Murton's early order as two wickets went down cheaply. Stephenson joined him in a third wicket stand and victory was achieved with five batsmen still in the pavilion.

Seaham Park, whose fixture was postponed because Silksworth are experiencing draining problems, remain second and Easington are up to third following victory over neighbours Peterlee.

Five bowlers took wickets as the home side managed fewer than 100 runs from 48 overs and an assured innings of 44 not out by Dane Wilson steered Easington to a comfortable seven wicket win in 20 overs.

Champions Castle Eden returned to winning ways, defeating Boldon CA by 130 runs.

Although David Jones opened with 30 the visiting batsmen found the going tough and the innings only realised 71 as Peter Spellman produced the magnificent analysis of eight for ten in ten overs, half of which were maidens.

Earlier, Michael Higgin (42), Dean Langridge (45) and Liam Brown (32) raised the Castle Eden total past the 200 mark in 50 overs.

Gary Robinson (31) and Kenny Marriott (38) top-performed as Houghton made a respectable 164 for eight, but a first win still eluded the bottom side as Dawdon won with seven wickets in hand.

Ryan Consitt (59 not out) and the experienced Shaun McKenna (27 not out) formed a productive unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket.

Ryhope made the highest score of the day - 242 for seven - but failed to force victory at home to Washington who were 167-6 at stumps.

After three batsmen had departed for a combined total of only nine runs, John Minnis (48) and David Kennedy (68) retrieved the innings and the momentum was maintained by Paul Bennett and Ian Hauxwell.

Nick Thompson struck a half-century and Philip Hooper added 31 but Washington were well short as Hauxwell captured five of the seven wickets for 60 runs