Middleton St George maintained their strong challenge for the championship of Division A, defeating Haughton by 36 runs.

When they batted first Middleton St George realised 200 for the loss of eight wickets as the runs flowed from Simon Rogers with 34, Bainbridge (21), Ayub (23), Hall (45) and Steven Rogers who made 44.

McGuire with three for 28 was the most successful bowler in the Haughton attack, but Bean and Keen gave support taking two wickets each.

When Haughton replied their first two batsmen contributed 30 runs between them before Bean made the game's top score of 65. He formed a productive third wicket partnership with Wilkonson (31) but their efforts failed to secure victory and at stumps a total of 164 for five had been achieved. Simon Rogers took two wickets for 47 runs and Hall had figures of three for 31 in the Middleton St George attack.

Rockliffe Park stay second and they enjoyed a big victory over Cockerton who they reduced to 71 all out which included no fewer than 32 extras. Chrishnon took five wickets for only 11 runs when introduced as second change and earlier P Swanwick returned three for 25 and Garbutt two wickets for three runs.

In contrast, runs were plentiful when Rockliffe Park batted first and ended with 230 for five on the board. Fidell carried his bat for 100 after going in at number three and opener Wheeler added 44. Lethbridge took three of the five wickets to fall for 75 runs.

Barningham had the better of Barton by 54 runs and remain in fourth place, one position lower than Barton.

Barningham reached 156 for four with Newton carrying his bat for 60 after opening the innings. Walker contributed 24 before Mosford partnered Newton in a productive partnership, his contribution being 64. P Frankland claimed three for 53 for Barton who when they went in to bat were all out for 102. Ian Thompson, who went in last, top scored with 23 and there were 26 extras as Walker returned the creditable figures of five for 43 and Mosford took three wickets for just 28 runs.

Heighington hosted Raby Castle and following a low scoring game it was the home side who came out on top by a margin of five wickets.

When Raby Castle made first use of the wicket they were all out in 26.3 overs with just 62 runs on top. Robert Waite was in excellent form with the ball for Heighington and he captured seven wickets for just 30 runs in 13 overs, six of which were maidens. Bewcock gave support with two for 18 and Howard took the other wicket at a cost of ten runs.

When they replied Heighington lost no fewer than five wickets before reaching the modest total and they were indebted to opener Darren Riley for his 24 which included four boundaries. Nick Jones captured three of the five wickets for just 24 runs in nine overs and Wilson returned two for 21 when he was introduced as first change.

After making 178 for five Cliffe reduced Witton-le-Wear to 150 all out. Hipkiss opened the Cliffe innings scoring 55, but when three batsmen manage only 11 runs between them, Hipkiss was pleased to find an able partner in Curry and they produced a good stand as Curry carried his bat for 62 in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership with Rutherford (36no). Of the five wickets which fell four were taken by Nelson at a cost of 46 runs.

Witton-le-Wear replied with 150 and most of their runs came from their early batsmen. Opener Chrisp made 30, his partner Jones 36 and Bannister, who went in at number three, contributed 39. Thereafter, only one other batsman reached double figures and the innings stuttered to 150 all out as Bowes claimed four wickets for 34 runs, Adamson three for 26 and Rutherford two for 27.

Aldbrough St John, who are bottom of the table, were all out for just 82 at Ingleton where they lost by eight wickets. No fewer than 45 of the Aldbrough total came from opening batsman Wood and not another player reached double figures as Wood took three for 21, Osborne three for 24, Selkirk two for 13 and Gamack two for 24.

When they went into bat Ingleton conceded the wickets of two batsmen for a combined total of just nine runs, but opener Elgey stood firm and found a partner in Stuart Dawson. As has happened in the past Dawson took charge of the partnership and he crashed an unbeaten 53 out of a final total of 83 for two with Elgey, who batted throughout, contributing an unbeaten 12 runs.

In Division B Rockliffe Park are ahead of Catterick Village. Dales hosted Rockliffe Park and it was the visitors who won by a narrow margin of 16 runs. Rockliffe went in first and after losing early wickets Edwards came to the rescue with a timely innings of 47 and later Marshall added 24 to the total of 140 all out. Hutchinson took four for 57, Lawson three for 25 and Simpson two for 29 in the Dales attack.

Replying the home side went close assisted by 33 extras before the innings closed with 124 on the board. Richardson contributed 26 and Rukin and Allison both made 15 batting at number nine and ten, Rockliffe Park ended victors as Edwards claimed five wickets for just 29 runs. Flood, Law, Cundy and Raby all took one wicket in the Rockliffe Park attack.

Trimdon CCA were all out for 82 at home to Catterick Village for whom Galley top performed with the ball ending with three wickets for 23 runs. K Swainston, C Swainston, Appleton and Coultish were also all among the wickets for Catterick who batting first ended with 183 for seven on top. Opener Daley made 42 and number three Appleton 49 before Coultish contributed a valuable 33 while for Trimdon CCA Carter was the most productive wicket taker with figures of four for 49. Gofton weighed in with two wickets for 41 runs.

After making 190 for five Middleton Tyas bowled out Spennithorne and Harmby for just 93. The visitors' batsmen were in trouble from the start against the twin attack of Campbell who captured five of their wickets for 51 runs and Wilkinson who returned the excellent figures of four for 35.

Batting first Middleton Tyas were given a good send off by Wiper with 35 and Hirst (26) before Hodson added 44 and Campbell 33. Clarkson top performed with the ball for Spennithorne and Harmby ended with figures for three for 60.

Lands were at home to East Cowton and won by eight wickets. Batting first East Cowton realised 137 for five with opening batsmen Woodcock finishing unbeaten on 51 and Raw contributing an undefeated 37 with one six and three boundaries.

When they replied Lands needed only 20 overs and lost just two wickets making the winning runs. Andrew Elstob opened with five boundaries out of 31, Peter Matthews had four fours in 36 and Dean Cummings carried his bat for 36 finding the boundary line on four occasions.

Heighington were all out for 95 and went down by 51 runs visiting Middleton-in-Teesdale. After losing three early wickets Middleton recovered through Todd (36) and Fletcher who carried his bat for 59 and eventually a total of 146 for six was realised. Jameson claimed four of the six wickets to go down for 57 runs.

When they replied Heighington were in early trouble before Hodgson made 25 and Hurst 20 but the innings stuttered to 95 all out as Coatsworth picked up five wickets for a mere 21 runs and Watson took three for 20.

Eryholme ended only ten runs ahead of Spennymoor after realising 151 for nine which included 78 by Harker. Rowell bowled a good end for Spennymoor taking five wickets for 48 runs and Troup weighed in with three for 66.

Replying Spence scored 23 opening for Spennymoor and so did Rowell later in the order, but it was Ross who raised the hopes of the visitors with 49. However, the innings ended all out 141 as Walker took four for 44, Craggs two for 15 and King two for 40.

In Division C Brompton on Swale defeated Aldbrough St John by nine wickets and Barningham comfortably had the better of Barton at the conclusion of a high scoring game. Metcalfe (49) and Walker with an unbeaten 46 enabled Barningham to make 224 for eight even though Fairley claimed four wickets for 45 runs in the Barton attack. Despite Bell carrying his bat for 76 and Fairley taking 50, Barton could only reply with 162 for seven as Banks captured for five wickets for 40 runs.

Cliffe were all out for 67 against Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill for whom Owens took four for 38. Batting first Trimdon Colliery made 174 with Walton taking three of their wickets for 17 runs.

Widdall (55) and Murray (40) propelled Cockerton to 178 for eight before Lands were all out for 101. Harris captured six wickets for 18 runs in the Cockerton attack.

Haughton went down by nine wickets to King James after making 104 for six which included 43 by Burgess. Hill, with an unbeaten 47 and Davidson (38) led King James to a nine wickets victory.

Raby Castle also won comfortably when they had seven wickets in hand of Trimdon CCA who were all out for 84 as Winspear took four for 14 and Stewart three for 29.