Durham Coast League: It was perhaps predictable that the match of the day between leaders Murton and second-placed Castle Eden would end as a draw and that was how it turned out, with both sides gaining ten points.

Wickets fell cheaply when Murton batted first but Jonathan Seed came to the rescue with a mid-innings contribution of 72 and a total of 164 was eventually achieved.

Allan Unsworth was again a force in the home attack, claiming six wickets for 89 runs in a lengthy spell but when Castle Eden replied, they too found runs at a premium.

Young John Spellman stood firm for 31 but at stumps a total of only 126-7 had been posted as Joe Dodd and Calvin Stephenson shared the wickets.

Silksworth's bandwaggon rolled on at Easington where they won by 81 runs to maintain their interest in the championship. David Tate took four wickets for just 17 runs and Graeme Weeks had equally impressive figures of 3-26 when Easington were reduced to just 96 responding to a target of 178.

There were early shocks for the Wearsiders when Tate and Phil Smailes both departed without scoring. Fortunately, Chris Pringle spearheaded a recovery making 41 and later Steve Wright contributed a valuable 35. David Kennedy for once failed with the bat for Easington but he was in form with the ball, taking five wickets for just 30 runs.

After being held to a draw by lowly Seaham Park last week, there was more gloom for title contenders Hylton when they could only share the points with bottom of the table Houghton, who have yet to win.

But Houghton were no doubt extremely satisfied with their performance. Although they never looked like challenging a 200 plus target, they were comfortable on 130-3 at stumps with Ian Hauxwell unbeaten with 58. Gary Robinson added 47 and not even the use of seven bowlers in the attack could earn Hylton a win they so badly needed.

When they made first use of the wicket, the visitors climbed to 205-3 as the runs flowed from Joe Bittlestone and captain David Hanson, who both scored 59 and Gary Hewitt, with an unbeaten 40.

The derby between Seaham Park and Dawdon also ended all-square. Despite a half-century by Bobby Stephenson, the visitors were struggling at 130-9 when time was up. Michael Evans and David Morton both took four wickets in the Seaham attack.

James Taylor, with 47 was the mainstay of the Park innings which also included 30 by Andrew Worthy as Andrew Stephenson collected five wickets for a meagre 27 runs.

Ryhope's Graeme Anderson made the highest score of the day when he flayed the Peterlee attack for 125 leading his team to the impressive total of 259-7 before the declaration was applied.

Graeme Smith (32) and John Minniss (42) added to the concerns of the visiting attack but Ryhope were unable to press home their advantage and Peterlee gained a draw posting 122-9 before time was called.

Smith gained five wickets for just 21 runs and Paul Watson had 4-52 but the pair failed to make the final breakthrough.

A draw also resulted at Boldon CA. They too declared with a good total on the board but Bill Quay were never seriously tested.

Gary Frater and George Lincoln both made half centuries leading the home side to 216-6 declared before Jeff Tudor with 33, Andrew Trotter (44) and Paul Bentham (48) safely guided the visitors to a share of the spoils.