Durham Coast League: Only Hylton lost ground in the race for the championship.

Although they won easily yesterday, they suffered a damaging defeat on Saturday whereas the other three contenders claimed maximum points from the week-end double programme.

Murton are ahead of the quartet, leading Silksworth by 20 points. After defeating Easington by more than 100 runs on Saturday Murton had to work hard for a four wickets success over Boldon CA.

The visitors made just 94 as Calvin Stephenson returned 4-45 and Keith Chapman took his haul of wickets from the two games to nine at a total cost of just 23 runs. Murton though conceded six wickets reaching the modest target.

Silksworth followed up their ten wickets win over Seaham Park when David Tate scored an unbeaten 111 and Graeme Weeks 54 not out with a nine wickets success at home to Houghton.

Tate took four wickets for seven runs in nine overs before again carrying his bat, this time for 65.

Castle Eden are third, just a point behind Silksworth. Their second win of the week-end came at Bill Quay where they overtook the home side's total of 172-9 with eight wickets left.

Following the disappointment of losing to Ryhope, fourth-placed Hylton quickly returned to winning ways at the expense of Easington, who made just 86 as Keith Trotter captured six wickets for 17 runs in 16 overs, half of which were maidens.

Captain David Hanson (40 not out) and Christoper Allen (31 not out) completed the task but Hylton now have 25 points to make up on leaders Murton.

An unbeaten century from Graeme Anderson figured prominently in Ryhope's second win in two days when they defeated Dawdon by eight wickets. Seaham Park celebrated only their second success of the season defeating Peterlee by three wickets after the home side had made an impressive 182-1 including 79 not out from Nicky Beall following his century on Saturday.

The runs flowed on Saturday at Ryhope who inflicted a damaging defeat on Hylton when they won by five wickets with 2.2 overs remaining. The target of 241 looked daunting but if Anderson strikes form anything can happen. He slammed two sixes and 14 boundaries in 85 made from just 68 deliveries and his opening partnership of 140 with Paul Howe (50) laid the foundations for a winning assault.

Murton had more than 100 runs to spare defeating Easington when Keith Chapman, who has taken more than 1000 wickets for the club, claimed four without conceding a run. When Joe Dodd returned 3-19 and Calvin Stephenson 3-26, Easington were all out for just 65.

Castle Eden had 87 runs in hand of visitors Dawdon.

Despite being required to score 201 runs, Peterlee celebrated victory at Boldon CA where Nicky Beall, with 106, was another century-maker.

Paul Elliott scored almost half the Houghton total against Bill Quay making 73 out of 156. Colin Smith claimed half the wickets for 37 runs before Jeff Tudor carried his bat for 74 and Will Gardner added 42 to the visitors' eight-wickets victory.