It was a positive day for the struggling teams, those entrenched at the wrong end of the table, as the bottom three all had excellent results against higher opposition.

Bishop Auckland pulled off a shock win at Barnard Castle, with the home side losing their lead at the top in the process.

Barney were asked to bat first at Kingsway and made just 87, as Nimesh Vimukthi claimed a brilliant 5-14, from 11.2 overs and was ably backed by Chris Sawyer who returned 3-46. Only Richard Borrowdale managed to make any headway, scoring 29.

In reply, Bishops were in trouble at 30-3, before man of the match Vimukthi made 29 with the bat and Bishops scraped home scoring 88-7, from 45 overs, despite Giles Creedon taking 3-6 from 12 overs.

Marske had their first win since late May, a crucial eight-wicket affair over Thornaby. The visitors never recovered from Lee Hodgson’s use of the new ball, as they were 0-2 and then 58-6, as he returned 5-42. Benjamin Van Rensburg was also excellent with the ball, taking 4-16 as they totalled just 119, with Kevin De Silva scoring 32.

Thomas Hales, 36 not out, and Sam Berry, 48 not out, made light work of the target, totalling 121-2 from 22.2 overs, to claim 20 vital points.

Marton fully deserved their 16 points gleaned from their winning draw at home to Stokesley.

After deciding to bat first, they made a healthy 250-7. Professional Aamer Sajjad scored 90 from 112 balls, which included 10 fours and two sixes, alongside Chris Allinson who made 65, while Chris Simpson made 34. The visitors had skipper Andrew Weighell to thank, his 90 from 120 balls included seven fours and four sixes, as his team finished on 164-6.

Hartlepool and Seaton Carew both lost, to maintain their worries at the bottom end of the league.

Richmondshire won Park Drive and won after a century (103no) from skipper Gary Pratt ensured the 20 points for the Dalesmen to maintain their title ambitions.

His ton came off 120 balls which included 17 fours, to help chase down the runs required in their total of 172-5.

Pools came up against some excellent bowling and were restricted to 169-7, with Matthew McKiernan taking 4-30 off his 15 overs, as James Lowe top scored with 32.

Great Ayton regained the lead at the top, with a narrow two-wicket win at Seaton Carew. The home side decided to bat first on winning the toss and although three batters made it into the 20s, no-one pushed on to make a big score.

Martin Skirving (25), Neil Whitworth (26) and Alan Tebbett (23), helped them up to 154 from 47.2 overs. Joe Marsay was the pick of the bowling, as his pace returning of 4-43.

Ayton also struggled with the bat and lost early wickets, until professional Pitigala Jeewantha made things look easy, with 42 to his name to help them over the line in a final total of 158-8, with Neil Whitworth the pick of the bowling returning 3-22.