There was high drama and high scores, with six century makers. Four of the five championship challengers all won, with only Great Ayton slipping up.

The day's most momentous finish involved Marske who defeated bottom club, Normanby Hall, from the game's last ball.

Just when it looked as if Aamer Sajjid, the Hall's professional, was to be his side's saver, he was bowled out by the spin of Faizan Hussain, whose four wickets for 63, in 14 impressive overs gave the Seasiders the 25 points which took them back into second.

They remain six points behind Richmondshire, who had enjoyed a victory over Stokesley.

At Normanby's Cricket Lane, Lee Hodgson hit his fourth ton of the season, 110 from 134 balls, and sharing a partnership worth 123 runs with Saeed Bin Nasir (59), the first to reach 1,000 runs in the league's competitions.

Replying to 242-5, Normanby got half the runs for the loss of their first five wickets before they slumped to 166 for 9. Chris Witherley then took up residence with Sajjad, to help add 42 and get to 208-9 entering the last over.

Richmondshire took advantage of Stokesley continuing to be under strength, to win by 92 runs with Rob Carr (63), Andrew Fleming (44) and Matty Cowling (43) contributing to their 233-8. Toby Bulcock (4-35) added to the home side's sinking feeling, although Josh Linton (47 not out and 3-24) fought hard.

Darlington defeated Billingham Synthonia after posting 235-7 with Muhammed Saad (87) and James Sutton (74) sharing a stand of 124. Connor Whitelock (5-32) and Liam Coates (2-37) then bowled out the Synners for 142.

There was a dazzling hundred for Barnard Castle's Karl Turner against his former team-mates from Guisborough.

His 133 from 149 balls was his third this summer and included 14 fours and four sixes, with a 119-run partnership featuring Lachlan Pfeffer (64).

Barney made 260-5 and skittled out their opponents for 136, as Josh Bousfield (3-39), Simon Tennant (2-8), James Finch (2-24) and Rob Dixon (2-35) combined their skills.

Two more centuries, saw balls peppered into the woods alongside the Great Ayton ground at regular intervals especially by Phil Mustard, who made a spectacular 135.

His second ton and highest score of the season for Hartlepool, took them to 308-6, after recovering from the loss of their first two wickets for ten runs.

Lewis Stabler (85 not out) enjoyed his new role as Pool skipper but he'll have to wait for his first win, after Ayton's Chris Batchelor frustrated him with the game's other ton.

Together with Jon Grainge (81 not out) they fought back well to get draw points and dropped back from three to 18 points behind the leaders.

The biggest surprise was Middlesbrough's defeat by Seaton Carew, for whom Usman Arshad was unbeaten on 138, lifting his side three places to seventh in the ratings and now almost safe from relegation.

His was the season's 40th century in the league and it marked Seaton's most impressive rise, which has been achieved after just one defeat in the last eight games. The run-a-ball innings, with 20 boundaries, included a third wicket stand of 144, with Paul Braithwaite (42).

He also grabbed three for seven, to challenge David Storey (5-38) for the man-of-the-match rating. Middlesbrough were bowled out for a paltry 86, with eight wickets going down for 27 after being 59-2.