After suffering the traumas of relegation two seasons ago, Seaham Harbour are beginning to believe this could be the year their fortunes take a turn for the better.

Their eighth win took them 25 points clear at the top, although their local rivals, Seaham Park, were only pushed that distance away because of the weather.

Their match at Easington was abandoned after the rain arrived at the halfway point, while on home territory Harbour were enjoying victory over Bill Quay in a low-scoring but exciting battle.

Harbour were bowled out for 70 by David Brown (5-17) and Mark Cuskeran (3-24). Only three home batsmen reached double figures as the bowlers commanded attention, with Brown bowling six of his 12 overs without conceding a run.

But the overall star of the day was Harbour's Anthony Watson, who tore Bill Quays batting apart with eight wickets. He conceded just 25 runs in his ten overs, and with Peter Hambleton (2-15) producing great support the Quay were rolled over for 53 in 19 overs. Harbour's exciting 17-run victory could not have come at a more vital time.

Hylton stayed third despite struggling to hold Silksworth, who they bowled out for a challenging 182.

Paul Bradford with 80, including ten fours and a six, put the Silks in control, although Graham Shovelin (4-44) and Alan Davison (3-40) were close to changing the direction of the match.

Hylton, who replied with 142-9, never got to grips with the bowling of Steve Wright (5-30), although Lee Rushworth batted with confidence to reach 48.

Murton's hopes of getting off the bottom of the league look remote after struggling to fight off a tenth defeat in 13 games against Washington.

With half-centuries from Darren Hickey and Darren Smith, the visitors totalled 175-6, and Murton needed a last-wicket fight-back to finish on 156-9.

Second from bottom Peterlee picked up useful points in a draw against fellow strugglers Ryhope, for whom Michael Thorpe (72) and John Errington (51) were on top form. Their opening partnership set the mould for a final score of 230-5, but Peterlee bounced back with Min Mahill (44) and Dale Butler (42no) leading the way to 194-7, David Gilbert (4-63) and James Summerside (3-36) the bowling stars.

Champions Boldon CA, currently fifth, were again under pressure as Dawdon's Stephen Gale hit a superb 125 out of 201-7. But they fought back with 139-9 and then survived an edgy finish for draw points.