Struggling Normanby Hall came within a whisker of gaining their first win of the season when they faced Saltburn in the weekend's key bottom-of-the-table clash.

The Hall, without a victory in their five previous games, had shaped up well in making 184-7 when taking first knock with their professional, Mohammed Zahid (52) and Lee Sykes (44) setting a great example. But they were thwarted by Saltburn tail-enders, Chris Birch and Chris Burke, who managed to survive the final three overs for the home side to finish on 143-9.

Former Billingham pace bowler, Keith Martin took four wickets for Normanby on his debut and Zahid grabbed three of the other wickets to fall to make it a good day personally.

John Bond top scored for Saltburn with 35 and new English professional, Manohaar Sehmbi impressed with 25 on his first appearance. But the Seasiders had to face up to the disappointment of not having their newly signed overseas player, Yogesh Galwalker, making his debut after a further delay in getting the necessary paperwork pushed through to allow him to play.

The drawn finish, however, put an end to the five-match losing start to the season for both clubs and lifted Normanby above Darlington in the table.

The Quakers, uncharacteristically in danger of being sucked into a relegation fight, enjoyed possibly their most encouraging result of the season when they held second placed Marton to a draw.

The village club posted 211-7 after half centuries from Graham Shaw and Chris Veasey put them in a strong position but Darlington after losing wickets to Imran Tahir (4-67), the visitors pro, produced a fine fight back with Mandla Mashimby (34), Mark Stainsby (32), James Alderson (31) and Danny Hodgson (30 not out) all digging-in. They finished on 173-6, 38 runs behind.

Marton stay just behind leaders Northallerton who maintained their 100 per cent record at Richmond with newcomer, Mark Cowell carrying his bat impressively for 86 out of 201-4. The home side might have thought 200, with a half century from Mike Fleming, would be enough to provide a close contest but despite three wickets for their professional, Shanuka Dissanayake it wasn't enough to stop Northallerton claiming a sixth successive victory.

Middlesbrough stay third after a win at Hartlepool in another game producing over 400 runs. Thara Gunarathne, the home professional, hit 85 not out but it was Boro's pro Alex Roberts who outshone everyone.

He cracked 131 out of 203-2 sharing in partnerships of 103 with Adil Ditta (43) and 78 with James Lowe (22). It was his second successive unbeaten century and it featured 17 fours and three sixes.

Great Ayton's batsmen found themselves routed by spin at Blackhall where Farukh Iqbal (6-40) and professional, Masood Mirza (4-52) proved the match winners. The former Colliery side found Riaz Afridi (4-61) and David Grainge (3-31) making good use of a helpful wicket as they were bowled out for 137 but it was 39 too many for Ayton.

Bishop Auckland grabbed an exciting win by ten runs at home to Marske who, at one stage, looked certain winners. Needing 143, they had scored 74 before the first wicket fell but despite 54 from Steve Chapman and 41 from Rob Nicol they lost seven wickets for just 32 runs.

Ben Usher (5-35) took all his wickets in four overs for just four runs and Carl McGregor (4-33) also helped to change the course of the game.

Redcar's professional, Tariq Aziz, had an outstanding knock of 91 but then had to watch as his colleagues slumped to 165-8 at Guisborough chasing 219 to win. They played out the last nine overs without losing a further wicket to share a drawn finish.

Farhaan Behardien and Neil Russell hit half centuries for the Priory club while Paul Goodchild (4-43) and Stuart Mackay (3-28) were also on form.

In the First Division, the leaders Thornaby enjoyed a predictable win against Normanby Hall with the spin duo of Andrew Emerson and Leigh Beaumont again to the fore, fellow pace-makers, Billingham Synthonia, also won via the spin route with Martin Cull claiming six wickets, as did Gibbon of Seaton Carew in their win against Barnard Castle.

The Synners had the closest result by just 18 runs to dent the promotion hopes of Darlington RA whilst elsewhere Stokesley's Ian West and Phil Ramage continued their fine personal starts to the season in the win over Sedgefield.

Yarm won for the second week in a row, and Wolviston moved into fourth after defeating Darlington.