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FOUR clubs - Richmondshire, Normanby Hall, Middlesbrough and Guisborough - have set themselves up as the pacesetters after the first three games.

But unlike last year when Northallerton enjoyed runaway success in the first half of the season, it seems likely that there'll be more twists and turns with the four teams now leading the way likely to stay close competitors.

Richmondshire defeated Marske to move back into pole position while Normanby Hall who started their game at Great Ayton as leaders found themselves battling for draw points and are now in second place.

Champions Middlesbrough moved to third with an ominous win against newly promoted Billingham Synthonia while it was Guisborough who pushed their noses into fourth place despite being held by Northallerton.

On a day when nail-biting finishes provided the sort of cricket people like to watch.

Richmondshire were among two clubs to win from the last ball of their respective games.

Marton were the other side who triumphed in an identical climax at Redcar.

It was a fine skipper's innings by Clive Layfield which took Richmond to victory after Rob Nicol (66) and Steve Chapman (33) shared in an opening stand of 71 to set a target of 177 to win.

The home batsmen all contributed well, including Jamie Stead (24), to leave 25 runs needed from the last 21 balls. Layfield (41 not out) held his nerve even with nine runs required from the last over. He got seven of them including a crucial two runs from the last ball.

Marton's last ball victory was engineered by Chris Lane who batted throughout for an unbeaten 78 and when six runs were needed from the last five balls, with his final partner at the wicket, became doubly determined to win the day.

Tim Hood (4-67) did his best to frustrate and Redcar's professional, Tariq Aziz hit a century and didn't deserve to be on the losing side. He made 113 including six fours and two sixes.

Middlesbrough took full advantage of Billingham's nervous start to life back in the premier division after two years away by bowling them out for just 118 and then powering their way to an eight-wicket win.

Craig Symington (73 from 130 balls) did his best to put the Synners on top but James Beaumont (4-16) turned the tables.

Then after sharing an opening stand of 51 with James Lowe (32), newcomer Paul Johnston, hit an undefeated 59.

Normanby Hall's Keith Martin found his batting skills were needed to stave off defeat at Great Ayton.

He had to play out time as the Hall faced the last two overs of the innings with nine wickets down and Chris Batchelor (6-60) looking for victory. Martin (4-60) had put Ayton in trouble on 88-6 before Anthony Doyle (54 not out) rescued them to reach 159- 8. Normanby finished on 142-9 with Chris Trillo (41) in defiant mood.

Skipper Liam Botham hit a half century to rally Northallerton when they could have plunged to defeat against Guisborough.

They were on 44 for 3 when he came to the wicket and although they then dipped to 119 for 6 he saw them to safety on 152-8 before he was last out.

Ritchard Bentley took two wickets with two balls but for a second successive week missed out on the hat-trick.

Guisborough also struggled at 85 for 5 before Will Wyatt (36) helped them reach 162-8.

Blackhall's new professional, South African Warren Swan, was the day's second century maker sharing in a second wicket stand of 142 with Masood Mirza (45).

His 128 included 15 fours and four sixes and came from 143 balls. Responding to the Colliers' 239-3, Hartlepool had Michael Gough (76) and Jack Wilkinson (62) in partnership for all but three runs of their reply of 160-3, the scoring rate being kept in check by Mirza who bowled 18 overs and conceded just 47 runs.

Darlington celebrated a first win of the season after Doug Mulholland (42 and 4-32) proved their star all-rounder against Bishop Auckland. Despite four run-outs, the Quakers totalled 141-9 and then bowled out Bishops for just 103 with the last four wickets falling for four runs.

In the First Division, relegated Saltburn enjoyed a first win at Middlesbrough while Thornaby crushed Richmond's second string, and Stokesley won at Normanby Hall.

9:24am Monday 5th May 2008

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