Only two sides won on Saturday. Guisborough easily saw off the challenge from Northallerton who they despatched back to the pavilion for just 87 runs in 34.5 overs.

The ever-reliable David Towse claimed 6-34 in 17.5 overs, nine of which were maidens, and Paul Goodchild took 4-48 from 17 overs.

The meagre target was meat and drink to the visitors and Graham Shaw struck seven boundaries in an unbeaten 47 as victory was achieved for the loss of only one wicket in 22.4 overs.

And Guisborough moved into second position when their game at Richmondshire was the only one to be completed yesterday. Richmond batted the full 50 overs for 154-7 Guisborough's innings was reduced to just 33 overs but they needed only 28.2. Dunn (57) top scored with Graham Shaw hitting 53.

Richmondshire had more luck on Saturday with 32 runs to spare over Normanby Hall. Captain Andy Mollitt (31) was the only visiting batsman to get to grips with the twin attack of Steve McNicholas and Mohamed Zahid and a total of 134-8 looked extremely vulnerable at the halfway stage.

But Shanoka Dissanayake bowled Richmond to victory, capturing 5-28. Ramzan, with a half century, scored almost half the Normanby Hall total of 102.

Elsewhere, drawn matches were the order of the day. Runs flowed at Marske where Tim Hood hit no fewer than five sixes and 12 boundaries in an unbeaten 137 compiled from just 146 deliveries.

Fahim Fazalwas also in the runs with 53 from 40 balls, striking three sixes and six fours as Marske romped to 288-7 in just 50 overs.

The Blackhall batsmen also found form with John Darby (48), Imran Jan (54) and Tony Booth (67 not out) leading their side to 218-7.

Saltburn were another side to pass the 200 mark but couldn't win. Richie Storr was their star with a six and 15 boundaries out of 118.

Lee Hodgson added 51 to a total of 230-6 and responding, Thornaby posted 175-7. Hrishikesh Kanitkar was again in form for Thornaby, recording a couple of sixes and nine fours in his 67 and Thornaby were never in danger.

Darlington were in difficulties against Redcar at Feethams when stumps were drawn.

Despite Neil Pratt's opening score of 47, eight wickets went down for just 121 runs after Dulip Samaraweera had dominated the visitors' innings, batting throughout for an unbeaten 112 out of a total of 231-7.

There was an abundance of runs at Kingsway. Amol Mazumbar finished with 107 not out and both Richard Hawthorne and Keith Stones made half centuries in the Bishops total of 268-3.

Stephen Chapman opened Hartlepool's reply scoring 72 and Andy Holland ended undefeated on 71 in a total of 206-6.

Brenton Parchment struck a super 146 and Colin Haslett 50 not out as Middlesbrough plundered 283-6 from the Darlington RA attack at Brinkburn Road.

Maroof Khan was a second century-maker in the game and it was his undefeated 107 which earned RA a share of the spoils as 188-7 was realised before time was called