Last week's matches saw the league reach the halfway stage for the season. With no report received from Silton's game with Maltby, Ingleby Cross winning and East Harlsey winning two games, there is a three way tie at the top.

Last week's cricket also included the Hodgson Cup Semi Finals.

In a thrilling game at Ingleby Cross, Silton just squeezed through to the Hodgson Cup Final.

The home side, batting first, had John Doyle Jnr (76 no) and John Doyle Snr (37), to thank for setting Silton the formidable target of 129 runs to win. Silton's innings proved a team effort, with all the batsmen contributing, and Ian Harper top scoring with 35 no.

As wickets fell on a regular basis, Ingleby Cross felt they were also in the hunt, and with 6 required off the last over it was still anyone's game. The decisive stroke coming off the last ball of the game, when Rob Cowton hit a four to win the game for Silton by five wkts.

The other semi final was just a few miles away at East Harlsey, where Northallerton took first knock.

Ian Place (22) and Mick Trueman (28) gave them a solid start in contrasting styles. Once they were dismissed, the rest of the batting disappointed against some good bowling from George Kay 2 for 19, and Rob Bellerby 3 for 18.

A total of 92 for 7 wasn't going to be easy to defend. So it proved as Joe Hunter, for East Harlsey, hit a quick 37 to set up a seven wicket win with four overs to spare. East Harlsey will host the Hodgson Cup Final against Silton on July 17.

In the league, the local derby between Northallerton and Tickle Toby CD was played on the Town Ground. Batting first, CD's Albert Aurelious (36), dealing mainly in boundaries, gave them a quick, solid base from which to build. John Place with 22 (stumped Ian Place, twice!) kept things moving, and a total of 111 for 8 was achieved. Darren Paven 3 for 23 and Neil Kendrew 2 for 25, were Northallerton's chief wicket takers. Northallerton's innings started poorly, Aurelious removing both openers for the addition of just eight runs, but with steady batting from Trueman, Pavan, and White, all totalling 23, they managed a five-wicket win with just two balls to spare. Aurelious finished with figures of 3 for 28 and Mark Gatto 2 for 24.

Rugby Club travelled to Ingleby Cross, and put the opposition in. Dave Leng enjoyed first use of the wicket and helped himself to 59 runs, as other batsmen faltered against Matthew Cornforth (2 for 44) and Alan Clarke (2 for 22). It was left to Phil Kinsella (23no) to give Leng some support, the innings running out at 106 for 6.

The Rugby Club's reply, once an opening partnership of 26 was broken, never looked like reaching its target and fell 35 runs short.

Stockton made it down to East Harlsey with senior league player Chris Hooker in tow, his debut gave East Harlsey some nervous moments. Batting first, East Harlsey soon lost Stuart Hodgson to a stunning catch by Faye Dale at short extra cover, but Arrowsmith (55) and Wheldon (48no) provided a good score of 138 for 3, Chris Hooker 1 for 28 and Mike Wood 2 for 15 taking the wickets for Stockton.

Chris Hooker (51) then dominated an opening stand of 59, and while he was there, Stockton looked well placed to reach their goal. But when the excellent bowling of youngster Raveen Jayasuriya 2 for 20, had him caught behind, and his fellow opener Mark Yule was run out for 21, there was no way back for Stockton. Matthew Hill weighed in with 3 for 20, and Stockton stuttered to 104 for 6. East Harlsey won by 34 runs.

A busy week for East Harlsey also saw them playing Tickle Toby CD in a rearranged game at East Harlsey. The visitors, batting first, were almost entirely indebted to Paul Sunley (37) and Dave Stirling (52) for raising a total of 111 for 4, a considerable score after Matthew Hill (1 for 14) and Rob Bellerby (1 for 21), had kept them in check for the first 10 overs. East Harlsey were propelled to a nine-wicket win by a fine 28-ball 51 not out from Matthew Hill, keeping East Harlsey in touch with Silton and Ingleby Cross at the top of the league.