Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: With only four games remaining the battle for promotion is hotting up and when Marton sent Marske crashing to just 37 all out, they closed in on leaders Billingham Synthonia.

The Marske batsmen simply had no answer to the home attack and the game lasted only 85 minutes in one of the earliest finishes in the history of the league.

Dean Kirby claimed six wickets for just 20 runs and Graham Shaw 4-15 before Mark Foster and Geoff Knight took 38 off the Marske attack in an unbroken partnership which occupied the wicket for only 6.3 overs. In total, just 27.1 overs were bowled in the game.

Billingham Synthonia now lead by just 11 points after losing by four wickets to Yarm.

Peter Brown took seven wickets for just 28 runs in 13.5 overs and although Synners battled for 45.5 overs, they managed only 74.

It was then the turn of the Yarm batsmen to find runs difficult to come by and they conceded six wickets before securing victory but not before they had used 47.3 overs. Martin Cull conceded just 38 runs in 23.3 overs and took four wickets but was unable to snatch victory for Billingham.

Barnard Castle are also in the promotion frame after finishing three wickets ahead of Bedale in another low-scoring game.

Bedale were at the crease for 48 overs making just 126 which included 65 by opener Andrew Smith who recorded one six and four boundaries. Gary Waller sent down 14 overs, six of which were maidens in returning the creditable figures of 4-21 and Richard Eastwood had 3-35 from 11 overs.

Jonathan Kellett opened Barnard Castle's reply with 44, including six fours, but there were some anxious moments before a much-needed victory was achieved with the assistance of 30 extras.

John Wilkin, with 3-33 from 15 overs bowled an economical end for Bedale.

Darlington were all out for just 71 at Guisborough where they suffered a ten-wicket defeat. Steve Trillo and Steve Donlon shared seven wickets as the visitors limped through 36 overs.

In contrast, the home side needed just 12 overs and did not concede a wicket as Rob Hornbrook finished unbeaten on 37 and Allinson added 26 not out.

Runs were more plentiful at Redcar but despite posting 185-8 the home side lost by four wickets to Thornaby. Mike Dex found the boundary line five times contributing 60 and for Redcar, Rob Whelan bowled throughout returning 6-87 from 25 overs.

After losing three of their first four batsmen for a total of just six runs, Redcar recovered through Mally Whitehead and Lee Powell (33) who added 108 for the fourth wicket.

Whitehead went on to make 108 hitting one six and 13 boundaries and Redcar were home in 44.3 overs.

The game between Stokesley and Wolviston was badly affected by the weather. The home side's innings was reduced to 45 overs and they were all out for 132 with four balls remaining.

David Weighell (37) and Mark Smith (41) both hit form and in the Wolviston attack none did better than George Sayers whose 9.2 overs were rewarded with the excellent figures of 5-24. Ian Brooksbank finished unbeaten on 43 but when further rain arrived, Wolviston were allocated 20 overs and ended on 110 for the loss of five wickets.

No play was possible in the game between Normanby Hall and Seaton Carew.