The race for the championship was unexpectedly thrown wide open with Castle Eden's defeat by Dawdon. Seaham Park made no mistake at Houghton and, with two games to play, only six points separate the pair.

Dawdon were the underdogs at Castle Eden but triumphed with their last pair at the wicket.

Mark Ewart bowled them into a winning position taking six for 36 and the home total of 103 was vunerable.

But Castle Eden fought till the end and were within a whisker of clinching victory. The four man attack gave little away but David Coates (33) played a crucial innings for Dawdon.

Houghton are bottom without a win but continue to battle against adversity. They put Seaham Park to the test and but for a late unbeaten 32 by Robinson they might have caused an upset.

It was the Park who celebrated with a narrow two wicket win. Faced with a target of 160 they were indebted to James Taylor for his contribution of 61.

Earlier he claimed eight for 52 and only Carl Miller (39) and Shaun Hauxwell (39) hit top form in the Houghton innings.

Silksworth are up to third after their comfortable victory over Peterlee.

Stephen Wright and Mark Forster shared nine wickets, restricting the home side to 141 before Paul Smailes (46) and Chris Pringle (51 not out) steered Silksworth to a success to keep them in the title race.

Murton are not out of it, but have all but conceded their crown. They were held to a high scoring draw at Bill Quay where nearly 450 runs were scored.

Alan Loscombe (70) and Calvin Stephenson both made half centuries in the Murton total of 244 for seven before Bill Quay replied with 204-6, which included 54 by Matthew Dench.

Philip Hooper (55), Nick Thompson (43) and Stephen Cuthbertson (42) were leading scorers in Washington's total of 220 for nine declared at Boldon CA, who were handily placed on 185 for five.

Karl Bellerby again showed form scoring 48 and Michael Towns ended unbeaten on 55.

David Kennedy produced an outstanding all round performance in Easington's win at Ryhope. After taking six for 63 he scored more than half his side's runs making 73 as the target of 138 was overtaken with six wickets in hand.