Durham Coast League: Murton are now odds-on favourites to retain the championship after coasting to an emphatic ten-wicket victory over Bill Quay on Saturday.

They now lead the table by 56 points but nearest rivals Dawdon and Silksworth, who play their outstanding fixture at the end of the month, have a game in hand.

Even so, it would be a major catastrophe for Murton if they do not end in pole position.

Not only are they winning but they are winning well as Bill Quay found to their cost.

Despite labouring through more than 40 overs, all they had to show was the meagre total of 57 as Calvin Stephenson ripped through the innings.

He claimed another six wickets for a modest 26 runs in 20.3 overs, bowling nine maidens while his partner in attack Keith Chapman, had 14 maidens out of 20 overs taking 3-27.

Murton cemented victory in only 23 overs as Graham Robson hit a six and four boundaries in an unbeaten 34 in partnership with Richard Lowes.

At the other end of the table, Peterlee are still without a win and have a lot to do if they are to avoid the wooden spoon.

Their latest defeat came at Ryhope where, despite a fine innings of 82 by Dale Butler, they were back in the pavilion for 132.

Paul Hutchinson, introduced as second-change, captured four wickets for just five runs while Paul Watson and Graeme Smith shared five wickets.

After useful opening contributions from Graeme Anderson and David Hanson, Watson led Ryhope to a five-wickets victory with an undefeated 35.

Hylton also won with five of their batsmen still to visit the crease.

Their target against Boldon CA at the Billy Hardy complex was only 116.

In this game also, the openers Gary Braithwaite and Lee Jackson provided the foundations and the task was completed by Gary Hewitt (33).

It was David Jones though who made the game's top score of 49 but when Stephen Merrington took three wickets for only 15 runs, the visitors stuttered to just 115-9.

No play was possible in the games between Castle Eden and Easington and Seaham Park v Houghton.

The match-of-the-day fixture involving Dawdon and Silksworth was postponed because the annual fair was being held at Dawdon's ground.