Saltburn reduced Guisborough's lead at the top to 13 points when they won at Wolviston and their rivals were involved in a huge scoring draw with Hartlepool.

Runs, though, were not nearly so plentiful for either the Wolviston or Saltburn batsmen. When the home side managed only 109 in 43 overs, it looked as if Saltburn were home and dry but they lost five wickets before securing 20 valuable points.

The five wickets fell cheaply before Jonathan Bond carried his bat for 31 and Umar Rashid proved his ideal partner as they formed an unbroken stand for the sixth wicket. George Sayers, batting at number nine, top-performed in the home side's innings which lasted 43 overs. He ended unbeaten on 43.And for Saltburn, Mauhtashim Rashid returned 4-51 in 22 overs and Umar Rashid 6-49 from 21 overs as the pair shared the attack.

Park Drive proved the perfect pitch for a flood of runs when Hartlepool and Guisborough produced 498 for the loss of only 12 wickets.

Guisborough used up their full allocation of 50 overs making a massive 322-4. Saul Clifford led the way, striking 16 boundaries in 100 and Richard Dunn was just a couple of runs short of three figures. Gary Shaw had opened with 45 and Chris Murray struck 50 from 16 deliveries with six sixes and four fours.

No doubt, Guisborough had Steve Chapman in mind otherwise they might have declared. He has been in super form of late but to the relief of the leaders he made just 46 before falling to Steve Brodrick. An undefeated 37 by Andy Carter took Pool to 176-8 at stumps and although denied victory, Guisborough still gained a useful 15 points.

Inconsistent Northallerton managed only 71 runs in 34.1 overs at Redcar. Neil Russell conceded 22 runs in 17.1 overs claiming five wickets and Michael McCabe, with whom he shared the attack, was almost as effective with 4-42 from 17 overs. Each bowler sent down nine maidens.

The Redcar batsmen also found run making difficult and seven wickets were conceded, four to Jonathan Barnes for 18 runs in 15 overs, before victory was secured.

Darlington RA maintained their vastly improved form with a seven-wicket success at Normanby Hall. Graham Scanlon, with a couple of sixes and three fours in 45 and Stephen McNicholas, whose 64 included two sixes and five boundaries, produced the bulk of the runs in a total of 153. Andy Russell sent down 13 overs taking 4-30 and Maroof Khan 16.1 overs claiming four wickets for 57 runs.

David Eckels was the steadying influence in RA's reply, batting through for an undefeated 43 but it was Darren Hickey who set the innings alight striking four sixes and 12 boundaries in 98.

Darlington bowled out Middlesbrough for 155 to win by 20 runs. Kevin Mott (5-40) and Paul Raine, with 4-40, did the damage and not even a defiant 30 not out by Brett Roberts and 26 from last man Mattie Brown could save Boro.

Hanif-ur-Rehman (75) and Gary Moody with 46, were the principal contributors to the Darlington total of 175 all out. James Beaumont (4-63) was the most productive of the five bowlers used in the home attack.

Blackhall ran up the formidable total of 267-4 but were unable to bowl out Richmondshire, who were comfortably placed on 207-3 at close of play. Michael Pointer was four runs short of a century but he was overshadowed by Imran Jan, who made 115 for the Collierymen before being run out. John Darby, with 67, was another important contributor to the Blackhall total.

The Marske batsmen were also full of runs. Mike Coverdale made the day's top score with 127 and Adam Pattison 77 as 269-4 was posted. Visitors Thornaby were eventually all out for 190, despite Ian MacDonald carrying his bat for 62. Most of the batsmen were troubled by Mohamed Fazal, who took 6- 62.