There were just two top-flight winners on another rain affected day, with Durham City able to defeat the elements as well as their opponents by rushing through a victory, and Easington turning in the performance of the day by chasing down a demanding target.

City head the table after racing to a 94-run home victory over struggling Boldon CA whose bowlers suffered at the hands of City skipper Jake McCann.

The Aussie smashed 15 fours and seven sixes on his way to an unbeaten 150 from just 104 balls, his opening partner Jonny Harding (46 not out from 71) supplying a more sedate approach as Durham plundered 205 runs in 30 overs and then declared. CA dug in for a time but then Scott Steele nipped in with five cheap wickets.

Another captain enjoying a field day was Crook’s Andrew Pratt who carried his bat for an unbeaten 126 at Easington. This lifted the visitors to an impressive 246-4, but Easington proved equal to the task as Ryan Higgins (67) provided the base from which Vinit Dhulap (52 not out) engineered a successful run chase that ended in a three-wicket win.

No time was lost to the weather at Horden, and there was no definite result, but just 85 overs were played as a long afternoon dragged on with stalemate the inevitable outcome.

Quay batted out their 55-over allocation to end on 218-6, Jeff Tudor their rock with an opening 64 from 93 balls, and while Horden were never in trouble they were never in sight of the target as they only faced a disappointing 30 overs to end on 124-7.

Castle Eden and Philadelphia were also engaged in a stalemate, Castle’s 47-over score of 198-9 underpinned by 76 from Phil Winpenny. Phili skipper Shaun Smith replied with an unbeaten 71, but with only 37 second innings overs possible the game petered out with the visitors on 147-3.

Two pre-season title favourites became victims of the weather, Esh Winning’s home game against Dawdon lasting just 24 overs with the home team on 129-4, and Mainsforth well placed on 126-1, with Mohammad Nawaz 66 not out from 62 balls, when their game against Hylton was halted after 22 overs.

In Division Two Whiteleas established an 18-point lead at the top as they overpowered Langley Park by 117 runs.

Scott Oliver hit 12 fours and three sixes on his way to 83, Leas declaring after 45 overs with 205-6 on the board. Ryan Hale (3-28) and Steve Martin (4-4) then pulled the rug from under Park’s feet as the visitors slumped to 78 all out in 21.4 overs.

Marsden (159) had plenty to spare in their home win over Houghton (82), and moved into second spot. Mark Woodhead (48) and Steven Neilson (33) top scored for the side seeking an immediate return to the top flight, and then Neilson (4-18) blew away the Houghton top four.

Burnopfield are up and running, but a severely depleted Peterlee put up a decent enough fight before going down by six wickets. Aussie Aaron Shellie gave an impressive all-round display for the home team, making 73 and then taking three wickets, but Callum Thorp’s five-wicket blast followed by an unbeaten 62 from James Radcliffe was enough to gain Burnopfield their first success in their new surroundings.