Three dazzling centuries and an interesting selection of fine bowling performances left the opening day of the new season without any guide as to which club, if any, is going to wrestle the silverware from champions Darlington.

The Quakers were locked in an exciting draw with Richmondshire, winners in the previous two seasons and the 2014 runners-up, but neither had the extra ammunition needed to push through a win. It was too close to call with Darlington finishing 17 runs short, but losing late wickets which kept the result open.

The Dalesmen took their 50-over score to 212 with Craig Marshall (44) and Craig Swainston (34) the unlikeliest of top scorers. Quakers replied with 195-8 after Matty Brown (51) had to battle against the loss of early wickets. Doug Mulholland (41 and 5-55) had a great start.

It was an impressive day for newcomers with Marske’s Pakistan signing of Saeed Bin Nasir an instant success, as his century lifted the Seasiders on their visit to Seaton Carew. They were the day’s only winners, having spent most of last season avoiding relegation.

Nasir hit exactly 100 from 109 balls with 76 in boundaries, winning the game with a six which one of the home team managed to catch cleanly within the boundary but then stepped over the line. Nasir hit another six and 16 fours.

With fellow pro Lee Hodgson hitting 35 as second top scorer, and taking three wickets for eight runs in a three-over blast, it was a happy return to the club where he was a junior 15 years ago. Seaton were restricted to 142 with Martin Skirving (55) setting a captain’s example, but Marske won comfortably by eight wickets.

The other century makers were Barnard Castle’s Simon Tennant (107 not out) against Redcar, and James Lowe (109 not out) against newcomers Norton.

Tennant faced 136 balls with 15 boundaries, five of them six hits, as his side posted 226-3 and enjoyed two partnerships each worth 100 runs, with James Alderson (51) and James Finch (35 not out).

Redcar’s reply fell short by 51 runs, but they had two vital wickets to spare.

Norton were happy to put up an excellent display against Middlesbrough at Acklam Park upon their return to the Premier Division.

Although fielding several talented amateurs, they have decided to start the season as the only club without professionals. But former pro, Marc Symington (77 not out from 68 balls), was the star performer. They showed a strong overall batting line-up, mostly made up of home-produced talent, reaching 236-4 from their 50 overs.

Boro, with skipper Lowe making an unbeaten 109, replied with 195-7, 42 runs short of victory, but it gave Acklam Park followers the chance to assess their new professional, South African Steve Reeves, who took two wickets and made 39 runs.

There was little to choose between Guisborough (215-8) and Great Ayton (199-8) who enjoyed a good old-fashioned derby at the Priory ground. But

Karl Turner (82 and 4-45) showed his class on his debut. The former Notts and Durham favourite looks likely to win many games for his new club, but he discovered Ayton’s long serving pro, Chris Batchelor (70) and quick bowler, Joe Marsay (4-65 from 14 overs), were in equally excellent form. Ayton settled for a draw 17 runs short of victory.

Hartlepool’s injection of new blood seems likely to make them one of the championship challengers after having not won the title since 1988. But newly-promoted Normanby Hall managed to wriggle off the hook as new recruit Shani Dissanayake managed 4-32 from his 17 overs as the home side slumped to 117-7.

Leigh Beaumont and Chris Trillo took the score to 140 without further loss to earn a draw. John Watson (87) and Jonathan Rickard (44) shared the batting honours as Pool reached 195-6 after which Sachithra Serasinghe (43) looked good for the Hall on his debut.

There were three Weighells on show for Stokesley at Marton. Jonny (64), skipper Andrew (56) and youngest brother James (3-42), headlined along with Aussie Jack Craig (48) as Stokesley (221-7) took five more points from their drawn finish than their hosts (193-7). Sri Lankan international Hasantha Fernando (42), and the up-and-coming Gareth Shaw (43 not out), were in good form for Marton.