Durham Coast League: There is no change at the top since the leading trio all drew and there is now every likelihood the race for the championship will go right to the wire, writes Malcolm Pratt.

The match of the day between leaders Castle Eden and second top Seaham Park predictably ended all square but Murton were unable to make up ground.

Castle Eden made early inroads into the home side's innings before Umar Akhtar (39) and Alan Dick with a played contribution of 77 led the recovery which was sustained by Michael McNicholas (38).

Allan Unsworth, Jonathan Malkin and Ross Kirtley all took three wickets as Seaham posted 172 all out.

It was important that Castle Eden did not lose and they soon set out their stall when they replied.

Gerard Magee opened the innings and was still there at stumps with just 24 to his credit.

David Langridge gave support with 34 not out and the total of 112 for four was sufficient to earn the leaders one point more than their nearest challengers.

The outcome of the match at Washington where title hopefuls Murton were visitors was evenly poised at stumps.

Only 17 runs and two wickets separated the pair as the home side finished with 117 for eight on the board, which included a valuable 57 from opener Nick Thompson.

Calvin Stephenson and David Naunton shared seven wickets for Murton, who managed only 134 all out when they made first use of the wicket.

Thompson, Will Plender and Lee Auty, who recently made his debut for Washington, were all among the wickets.

Silksworth were the only one of the top four sides to win.

Their total of 135 looked vulnerable but Chris Pringle and Stephen Wright came up trumps, claiming four wickets apiece and Boldon CA were 11 runs short when their innings closed.

Karl Bellerby made a top scoring 51 with nine boundaries.

Pringle, with two sixes and six fours in 44 and Jonathan Crake with 30 made valuable contributions for the Wearsiders who are in their most favourable position at any time this season.

There is no respite for Houghton at the bottom.

Despite 40 from Ian Hauxwell they were all out for 132 against Ryhope, for whom Graeme Smith took 7-47.

John Minniss then struck an unbeaten 84 in a total of 134 for two.

Shaun Smith (5-54) and David Brown with 3-21 proved troublesome for the Peterlee batsmen who made just 109 - the lowest score of the day - before Bill Quay won with six wickets remaining.

Mark Ewart with five wickets at a cost of just 45 runs had Easington tottering on 92 for eight at Dawdon.

Michael Watson opened with 38 but the Dawdon innings was also in trouble before man of the match Ewart cracked 52 to lead his side to a respectable 157.

David Kennedy and Robbie Atherton shared eight wickets for Easington.