There were some tight finishes on Saturday which provided the season's most exciting day in the Darlington Building Society North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League.
Two clubs - Marton and Redcar - each held their breath as they grabbed victory by a single wicket while champions, Great Ayton were just 11 runs short of a thrilling win and Marske, who were in the top six at the start of the weekend, held out for a draw with their last two at the wicket.
Meanwhile, Northallerton marched on as league leaders keeping their 100 per cent record intact against Normanby Hall. But the Hall, who have now lost all their five matches, had the bad luck to lose their captain, David Cross when he was within sight of his first century of the season.
Cross was on 88 when he hit his 13th boundary of an entertaining innings only to pull up in agony and be forced to retire and take a trip to hospital.
He was reported to have suffered a suspected Achilles injury. His 92 had included five sixes and with the help of Lee Sykes (41) had taken Normanby to a formidable total of 214-5 despite a 25-over spell from Jon Barnes, who took four wickets for 65.
But Northallerton, relished the fight and with their in-form professional, Ramisha Parida hitting 88 to take his run tally already beyond 300 they went on to win by four wickets.
Marton kept up their great start to the season with their fourth and best win in the top-of-the-table meeting with Guisborough. Home 'pro', Imran Tamir continued to prove a match winner taking five wickets and top scoring with 35 but it proved a real thriller with their last two batsmen at the crease when they got the one final run needed.
Guisborough had their professional, Farhaan Behardien (53) to thank for keeping them in the match even though they could only manage a modest 139.
But it almost proved enough as Paul Goodchild (3-41) and Neil Russell (2-44) gave Marton a hard time. With the help of Graham Shaw (32) against his former club, they just made it to stay in second place in the league table.
Redcar's narrow win at Bishop Auckland came despite seven wickets for the home professional, Dan Conway. Bishop's batting collapsed, all out for just 71 with Tim Hood getting five of the wickets.
Two centuries were scored elsewhere - Alex Roberts hitting 13 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 111 for Middlesbrough against Darlington and Mike Gough making 113 with 14 fours and four sixes at Marske. Roberts shared in an opening stand of 153 with James Lowe (77) as Boro blasted the Quakers attack for 257. Then Chetnya Nanda (6-17) took his wicket count to 20 in five games as the opposition were routed for 83.
At Marske close on 500 runs were scored with Paul Johnston adding 80 for Pool and Rob Nicol (77) and Steve Chapman (68) delivering for the home side. Yet five wickets from Thara Gunarathne had Marske hanging.
Great Ayton came within 11 runs of victory against Blackhall but had to settle for a draw while Richmondshire completed the double over bottom club, Saltburn who look destined to face a relegation struggle.
In the First Division, leaders and title favourites, Thornaby, stayed firmly in front despite dropping their first points of the season when the second teamers of Guisborough held them to a draw. But not before Neil Coverdale helped himself to a century and Mike Muldowney (72) shared in a third wicket stand of over 200. The Priory side hung on with nine wickets down despite six wickets for Richard Rennard.
Second placed Seaton Carew gained ground on the leaders with a big win over Normanby Hall seconds while Darlington RA, relegated from the premier division at the end of last season, put themselves in the top four with a hard earned victory against Wolviston.
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