Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: It is still tight at the top with only a handful of points separating Thornaby and Marton.

Thornaby had to settle for a draw at Redcar despite dominating the eight-man home attack.

Malcolm Muldowney (46) and Matt Dex (43) laid the foundations for a big total with a second-wicket partnership before the momentum was maintained by Roberts (35), Gibson (50) and Baksh (38 not out).

Martin Reeves raised the hopes of Redcar but he was run out for 81 and although Mally Whitehead added 31, the innings only produced 162 for seven as Thornaby utilised seven bowlers.

Marton enjoyed an easy victory at Wolviston who were all out for 104, which included 36 by Neil Skerritt.

Some 32 of his runs came in boundaries but the batsmen were well contained by Graham Shaw (5-32) and Ditchburn (3-15).

Chris Lane (42 not out) and Shaw with an unbeaten 35 steered Marton to an eight-wicket victory.

Blackhall are third and in with a chance of making an immediate return to the top flight. Gareth Davis recorded eight fours in 46 but the Stokesley innings stuttered to only 121 from 42.5 overs.

Johnny Onion conceded a mere 15 runs in seven overs claiming three wickets and Shoaib Akhtar had 3-41 from the 13.2 overs he delivered.

Blackhall's reply was swift and effective. Paul Moss batted throughout, striking six fours in an unbeaten 41 and Akhtar crashed three sixes and five boundaries in 43 as victory was achieved for three wickets in only 23.5 overs.

Yarm had 60 runs to spare at Barnard Castle, who were all out for 107 as Phil Andrews took four for 21 runs in 13 overs and Will Wyatt 3-44 from an economical 21 overs. Justin Hesp top scored with 32.

Yarm batted first and realised 167 with James Riley adding 57 before being run out. David Stanwix had an excellent day with the ball for Barnard Castle claiming six for 58 in a continuous spell of 25 overs.

Bedale defeated Darlington RA by three wickets. Their target was 198 and runs down the order from Coady (47), Fleming (63) and Wilkin (45 not out) saw them home.

Stephen Marr scored 100 not out for RA but ended on the losing side. Walker added an unbeaten 52 to the total of 197 for five which proved insufficient.

There was a close finish at Fountains Garth with 12 runs and two wickets separating Guisborough and Normanby Hall.

Richard Dove (33) top-performed with the bat as Guisborough realised 168 for nine with five of the wickets falling to Ramzan for 62 runs.

Ramzan also starred with the bat for the Hall but when he was dismissed for 46 the visitors ended on 156 for eight with Steve Donlon and Steve Trillo sharing six wickets in the home attack.