Seaton Carew made further inroads into Wolviston's lead at the top of the table when they overtook the target of 178 set by Bedale with four wickets and an over remaining.

Richard Carruthers scored a century yet still finished on the losing side. His 103 included four sixes and 16 boundaries as Bedale posted 177-9 with both Danny Evans and Sharp taking four wickets each for Seaton.

Richard Clayton was Seaton's matchwinner with the bat, hitting a six and six fours out of 63 and although Richard Mallander bowled a good end for Bedale, returning 3-32 from nine overs, the home side clinched 20 crucial points.

Johnny Woolnough was another player to reach three figures but Wolviston failed to win at home to Stokesley. Woolnough found the boundary line 11 times when he batted throughout the innings for 123, paving the way for Wolviston's total of 201-6. Stokesley's reply was given a reasonable send-off by openers Smith (33) and David Weighell (26) before it eventually realised only 141-8 from the 50 overs.

Great Ayton, who are also involved in the race for the championship, were another side held to a draw but it was Normanby Hall who were in the ascendancy at close of play. Despite being required to score 273, the Hall were just 21 runs short with seven of their wickets remaining. Kenny Thwaites struck ten boundaries making 90 and his opening partner Joe Bell had eight fours, contributing 63 before Rhys Barker carried his bat for 53.

The runs also flowed when Ayton took first innings. Pearson (74), Gary Mudd (67) and Grainge with 49 spearheaded the innings towards 272-8 before the declaration was applied from 47 overs leaving Normanby Hall with 53 overs to mount a winning challenge. David Brown had a good day with the ball for the Hall taking 5-77 in 14 overs.

Runs were not so plentiful for the Marske batsmen at Barnard Castle where they were all out in 49 overs for just 133. Castle's reply was swift and effective. Victory was achieved for the loss of just one wicket. Darlington had to hold out for a draw at Guisborough where they were 133-8 requiring 243 for victory. When they batted first, Guisborough raised 242-8 as Richardson, Richard Dove and Chris Trillo all made at least 30.

Billingham Synthonia failed by just one wicket to defeat Middlesbrough, who were tottering at 147-9 after batting 55 overs.

Marton secured a 27-runs win at home to Redcar, who they sent back for just 139 despite a good start by openers Peter Wilson (33) and Ollie Rogers (45). Wherrit, with 6-25 and Williams (3-33) proved problematic for the home batsman. Marton too started their innings well with Dean Kirby (35) and Graeme Scanlon (34), providing the platform for an eventual total of 166 even though Martin Reeves returned figures of 8-58.