IT WAS decimation by downpour, with none of the seven First Division matches extending beyond a few overs of first innings skirmishing.

There were only 15 overs of play possible at Easington, but title-chasing Tudhoe were able to squeeze out three bowling points, and with Burnmoor restricted at Crook it meant that their lead was reduced to 12 points with nine games to go.

Kushen Kishun was causing all sorts of problems for Easington before the rain saved them, the South African picking up four wickets for 26 runs in 7.4 overs, and with Ian Grainger bagging another couple the hosts were in disarray on 50-6, the disappointment for Tudhoe being that they got no further chance to ram home their advantage.

Burnmoor stood on 96-1 at Crook when their game ended, Stephen Meek making a half century and Neil Young unbeaten on 35, but more worryingly key man Paul Craig had to retire hurt at the start of the game, fearing he could have suffered a fracture when struck on the hand.

Fortunately hospital tests revealed just severe bruising and he should remain available as the run-in unravels.

It was similar elsewhere, the 16 overs of play at Marsden enabling Horden to reach 52-1, the 22 overs at Boldon CA seeing the home team struggle to 49-3 against Philadelphia, Castle Eden reaching 80-1 in 16 overs against Evenwood, and Esh Winning making it to 46-3 at Dawdon.

One man who really enjoyed his day was Whiteleas’ Owen Peterson.

He dominated his side’s Division Two promotion battle at Bill Quay, smashing an unbeaten 107 after his team got into early difficulties, losing their first three batters for 18 .

Peterson joined with opener Andrew Potts (49) to firstly rescue Leas, and then give them lift off to a 35-over total of 187-4.

Peterson blasted nine fours and six sixes, while Potts included six boundaries in his innings before falling one short of his half century.

Dave Brown claimed three of the wickets to fall in his nine over spell.

The Quay gave the run chase a real go, but with just 25 overs available it was always a tall order, and they ended on 161-7, Jeff Tudor (33) and John Newstead (three fours and two sixes in 40) their main contributors.

Quay earned 12 points from the game, while Leas took ten, and that helped both improve their standing against the other main contenders, Durham City, who had Langley Park on 61-5 when the heavens opened to restrict them to a seven-point return.

Seaham Park were the one team to defeat both the elements and their opponents, their home game against Shildon Railway done and dusted in 42.1 overs.

It looked like the visiting batsmen were trying to catch a train as a couple of run outs heaped needless agony on an already ailing innings, and with John Sample (4-26 from 12 overs) and Alex Ludlow (3-18 from nine overs) flying Shildon all out for 62 in 26 overs.

Park then steamed to an eight-wicket victory in 16.1 overs, skipper Dave Hanson (26 not out) and James Ferguson (26 not out) taking the honours.

Murton were struggling on 81-5 at Ushaw Moor, while Ryhope stood on 56-3 at Silksworth when their game was swamped.