Wolviston, aiming to make an immediate return to the Premier Division, moved to the top of the table with a comfortable victory at Bedale.

Despite making a modest 130, they had more than enough in hand as Jimmy Jones and George Sayers proved a potent attacking force.

Jones conceded only 22 runs in 11.5 overs taking five wickets and Sayers claimed three wickets for a mere seven runs in five overs as Bedale were sent back with just 70 runs on the board.

Geoff Ward struck a six and six boundaries making 52 and Mullen added a valuable 32 to the Wolviston total, but for most of the time the visiting batsmen were troubled by the bowling of Martin Shillito junior and Philip Staves, who had identical figurs of 4-21.

Previous leaders Billingham Synthonia could only draw with Marton, but they could hardly have been closer to success.

They had the home side on the ropes at 87-9 as Keith Martin, with 3-43 and Martin Cull (6-35) bowled throughout.

They were unable to claim the last wicket though after Paul Gaynon had opened the Marton innings striking five boundaries in 31.

Dennis Wing (39) and his opening partner Dave Fairley, who was on 47 when run out, produced the platform for the Synners' total of 168 all out.

Dean Kirby was in excellent form in the Marton attack and from 14 overs, five of them maidens, he claimed five wickets for just 32 runs.

Seaton Carew overtook the Guisborough total of 179 with seven wickets to spare.

Paul Gough batted throughout and nine fours flowed from his bat as he ended with an unbeaten 82.

Martin Skirving was also in outstanding form and he too found the boundary line on nine occasions contributing 64.

Rob Murray (40) and Richardson, whose 46 included a six and seven fours, were prominent for Guisborough, whose innings lasted four balls short of the maximum50 overs.

Normanby Hall were full value for their big win over Darlington, who laboured through 34.5 overs, scoring just 71 as Geoff Robinson captured six wickets for 12 runs in 13.5 overs, nine of which were maidens. The low target was meat and drink for the Hall and Mick Addison stroked seven fours in 45 not out, forming an unbroken second-wicket partnership with Mark Lane which propelled their side to victory in only 21.2 overs.

Marske were another side to win comfortably.

Teenager Chris Bartram bowled a tidy 13 overs taking 3-33 to help restrict Boro to 144-9 from their 50 overs.

Richard Borwell (35) and Lee Roberts (38) were the main contributors, but the total looked vulnerable. Chris Gibbon (55) and Karl Bramwell, who hammered no fewer than four sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 41, hurried Marske to victory in only 35 overs.

Stokesley had just three wickets to spare over Barnard Castle.

Faced with scoring 135, they were indebted to opener David Weighell, who had nine boundaries making 79 while Richie Eastwood and Mark Little, who both claimed three wickets, kept the visitors in with a chance.

Robert Morton, with 6-38 from 17 overs and Chris Knock, whose 11 overs yielded figures of 3-42, were the Stokesley bowlers who restricted Barnard Castle's scoring. Mark Little topped the Barnard Castle innings, his 33 including four boundaries.