The vast majority of players would welcome a quick change in the weather but perhaps at Northallerton they are not too bothered!

They again beat the elements and their opponents, while the remainder of the programme was just about washed out.

Full credit to Darlington RA. Once again they managed to stage their game but failed to profit as Northallerton chalked up their third victory in four outings.

They sit proudly at the top of the table 20 points ahead of Bishop Auckland whose game at Great Ayton was one of five which failed to start.

It was Jonathan Barnes who spearheaded Northallerton's victory. He bowled unchanged for 23 overs, sending down eight maidens and claiming five wickets for a meagre 36 runs.

Doug Mulholland provided admirable support with 4-49 from 12 overs and RA were back in the pavilion for just 133. They must have been pleased though with the form of new professional Wilden Cornwall who struck a couple of sixes and three boundaries in a top-scoring 55.

Towards the end, James Middleton carried his bat for 25 to take the total into three figures.

On an uncompromising wicket, Northallerton's batsmen also found the going difficult and RA's hopes were raised when the first five players managed only 34 runs between them.

It was then that captain Ian Gill was joined by Ian Place and the pair first retrieved a difficult situation before just about completing the task.

Gill contributed 45 to the partnership before being stumped, while Place carried his bat for 52 with six boundaries. Victory was within sight when the stand was broken.

Cornwall had a lengthy 17 overs in the RA attack capturing three wickets for 47 runs to complete a good day.

The only other game to commence was that between Middlesbrough and Richmondshire at Acklam Park. It was at an interesting stage when rain finally caused the abandonment with Boro on 44 without loss from fewer than 13 overs, replying to the visitors' total of 193-7.

Brenton Parchment hit a six and found the boundary line on five other occasions hurrying to an unbeaten 36 from 48 balls in partnership with Chris Murdoch.

Skipper Andy Mollitt (70) took seven fours off the home attack from the 81 balls he received, Andy Smith ended with 52 from 111 deliveries and Ben Biker contributed a useful 35 to the Richmond total. Skipper Martin Ball was the most productive of the Middlesbrough attack with figures of 4-29 in six overs.

More play was possible in Division One but no side managed to achieve victory. Barnard Castle were nearest to success when they reduced Guisborough to 105-8 from 44.1 overs at which stage bad light stopped play.

Fourteen-year old Chris Allinson defied the home attack recording four boundaries in a well-played 47 when he opened the innings but most of the time the batsmen were well contained by the six-man formation.

Nick Cavanagh and Richard Eastwood both picked up a couple of wickets and the Stanwix brothers, David and Michael, also got in on the act.

When they made first use of the wicket, Barnard Castle posted 181-7 from their 50 overs. Michael Stanwix struck a couple of sixes and four fours out of 48 and David added 31. Steve Trillo had a lengthy 21 overs in the Guisborough attack, taking 5-85 and Ryan Murray claimed the other two wickets.

Seaton Carew were 63-2 at home to Barnard Castle when the rain arrived. Martin Skirving was going well, unbeaten on 40 which included eight boundaries.

A half century by Richard Carruthers was the highlight of the Bedale innings which included 30 apiece by Wilkin and Mallinder as a total of 163-9 was reached. Four of the wickets fell to Richard Robinson for 54 runs in 15 overs.

Darlington reached 232-4 before declaring in their game with Marske at Feethams. Danny Morgans recorded five boundaries in 52 and his opening partner Jamie Watson added 33 to the productive opening stand before Keith Baker and Peter Bentley took over.

Barker's undefeated 65 included eight fours, while Bentley was on 50 when he was run out.

Ryan Lazenby (46) and Chris Burke (41 not out) led the Marske reply which totalled 150-4 when the elements intervened.