Ingleton had just one to spare defeating Heighington at the end of an exciting game, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Faced with a target of 119 Heighington managed only 117 for nine in the allotted overs. Opener Darren Riley raised their hopes scoring 34 with one six and three boundaries and there was a useful 28 by Overfield, but in the end Ingleton scraped home as Shaun Russell took five wickets for 51 runs in 15 overs and Bill Banks conceded only 13 runs in five overs for three wickets.

When they batted first Ingleton ended with 118 for six on the board. Following an indifferent start to their innings, the home side recovered through Peter Mellor whose 33 included a couple of sixes and two boundaries and Shaun Russell, later to star with the ball, was also in form with the bat. He ended unbeaten on 48 with three sixes and as many boundaries. Rob Waite had a good day with the ball behind him sending down 15 overs, including four maidens and capturing four wickets for 54 runs and John Boocock had figures of three for 64 in 15 overs.

Middleton St George romped to a nine wickets victory at home to Cockerton. The match went on uninterrupted, but with storm clouds gathering Middleton wasted no time setting about overtaking the target of 79. Openers John Bainbridge and Tahir Hussein added 41 for the first wicket before Hussein was sent back for 30 which included three sixes and one boundary. Bainbridge finished unbeaten on 22 with three fours and Stephen Rogers, who went in at number three, also hit form recording one six and two fours in an undefeated 26.

Batting first Cockerton were restricted to 78 for six in the maximum 30 overs. Dave McKenna claimed four of the wickets for 37 runs in 15 overs, four of which were maidens and Amjid Hussein took one for 33, also in 15 overs.

Cliffe had 22 runs to spare at Catterick Village where they totalled 111 all out. Foster, batting in mid-innings, top scored with 22, but most of the time the batsmen were contained by the four-main Catterick Village attack. Freer took three wickets for 26 runs while Swainston, Galey and Oselton took two wickets apiece.

When they went into bat Catterick Village soon found problems but 20 by Oselton raised their hopes only for the innings to end on 89 as Carrick returned the outstanding figures of five for 13, Adamson three for 30 and Bowes two for 23.

Haughton managed only 98 for eight and lost by eight wickets at Raby Castle. Bainbridge, who batted at number three, top scored with 29 for Haughton and for Raby Castle Wilson claimed five wickets for a mere 25 runs.

After losing a couple of early wickets Raby Castle won comfortably as opener Ian Dent finished unbeaten on 41 and Poole was 23 not out.

Barningham defeated Witton-le-Wear by 39 runs. When they replied to the Barningham total of 154 for six, the home side managed only 115 for five which included an unbeaten 51 by Chrisp who batted throughout. Stockton made a good 40 and for Barningham French captured three wickets for just 21 runs.

Newton (26) and Mullins (22) gave the Barningham innings a good send off before Walker contributed 44 and French 20 to the eventual total. Penfold was the most successful bowler for Witton-le-Wear capturing three wickets for 36 runs and Jones had an analysis of two for 71.

Barton just had the edge on Rockliffe Park winning by seven runs. When they made first use of the wicket Barton ended with 117 for seven on top which included 23 by opener Miller. McAffee top scored with 33 and Murray added 24 to the total of 117 for seven with Garbutt taking four of the wickets for 41 runs while Cundy, introduced as third change, picked up two wickets for 15 runs.

When they went into bat Rockliffe Park suffered early setbacks even though opener Wheeler made a useful 27. Garbutt contributed 38, but the innings ended on 110 all out as P Franklin took three for 42, J Franklin two for 17 and Heddon two for 39.

In Division B Aldbrough St John defeated Brompton-on-Swale by 62 runs. Replying to a target of 152 Brompton lost two early wickets before Dale added 37. Walsh scored 21 but when Sillars ended with five for 34, Murphy two for 24 and Connachie two for 11, Brompton fell well short.

Batting first Aldbrough ended on 151 for seven. Their openers Wood with 71 and Jones 49 dominated and for Brompton, Leyburn captured four of the seven wickets for 46 runs. Two of them were taken by Nicholson for 59 runs.

Middleton Tyas managed only 59 but still defeated Rockliffe Park by 15 runs. Raby was in magnificent form with the ball for Rockliffe taking eight for 21 and Lowe had 36, but in reply Rockliffe Park were all out for just 44 as Wilkinson captured four for 22 and Campbell three for 19.

Runs were in greater supply when Middleton-in-Teesdale entertained East Cowton and won by 23 runs. Opener Coatsworth struck 34 and Watson 37 in the Middleton total of 144 for five. East Cowton utilised just two bowlers with Whitfield taking three for 85 and Tucker two for 50.

When they went to the wicket the visitors suffered early setbacks but Copeland raised their hopes when he scored 53. However, the inning closed on 121 as D Watson captured five of the wickets for just 48 runs. Coatsworth had two for 26 and N Watson two for 41.

Eryholme managed only 83 all out at Dales where they suffered a 47 runs defeat. Thornton, who opened the innings, top scored with 26 and for Dales, Herd had four for 24 and Hutchinson three for 22.

Batting first Dales posted 130 for nine which included 22 by Lawson, 32 from Winters and 30 by Hutchinson who was run out. Walker was the most successful bowler in the Eryholme attack claiming five wickets for 44 runs.

Trimdon CCA had three wickets to spare defeating Heighington. When they went in first the home side reached 108 for six which included 32 by Taylor who opened the innings. Hodgson added 21 and Jamieson 19 not out while for Trimdon CCA Coughtrey took three for 39 and Carter two for 30.

When they responded Trimdon CCA managed only 109 for seven which included 20 by Crofton and 38 not out from Hodgson. Jamieson claimed three wickets for 30 and Jackson three for 42 in the Heighington bowling line-up.

Spennithorne and Harmby defeated Lands by five wickets. Faced with a target of 129 they lost both openers for a combined total of only six runs before Grieves contributed 43. Farrow added 24 then Walker finished unbeaten on 33 in a total of 129 for five. Simpson with two wickets for 19 runs was the best of the Lands attack.

Batting first Lands finished with 128 for eight. They too made a poor start and their first two batsmen managed only six runs between them, but Lindsley steadied the innings with 40 and after Elstob contributed 32 before being run out. Galston added 15 before he took was run out and Reed ended with 20 not out in a total of 128 for eight. Farrow, with three wickets for 19 runs, was the pick of the six-man visiting attack in which Grieves picked up two wickets for 13 runs.