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NEWLY-PROMOTED Thornaby made a dramatic return to the senior division as they celebrated a fourwicket victory at Richmond after one of the best run chases of the opening day.

Set to score 192, Neil Coverdale (76), and the relatively unknown James Roberts (59), shared in a third wicket stand of 148 to swing the game away from the grasp of Richmondshire and make it possible for the batsmen who followed to score the remaining 25 runs with seven balls to spare.

Coverdale rode his luck surviving three chances in hitting 11 fours and a six, while Roberts, with seven boundaries, was remarkably assured making his maiden half century. The pair had come together with Thornaby in trouble on 19 for two after Chris Layfield (4-57 from 19 overs) made the early breakthrough.

Opener James Clarkson was Richmondshire’s batting star with 82, including 13 boundaries, as they reached 191-8 despite Leigh Beaumont, the visitors’ professional and their acting captain, bowling unchanged to grab four wickets. Andrew Emmerson (3-49) shared the Thornaby bowling honours.

League champions Middlesbrough were among four others to win and they looked pretty invincible at Marske. They hit the day’s highest score as they reached 226-5 with another Beaumont – James – hitting a half century and then taking four wickets. Paul Johnston (51 with ten fours from 78 balls) got the Boro innings off to a stunning start.

In reply, Marske lost their first six wickets for 62 runs before Chris Shepherd (32) and Jonathan Pickard (22) shared in a partnership of 48 but, once their brave rescue attempt ended, the Seasiders’ tail was swept away and they crumbled to 137 all out.

The most exceptional batting display by two tailenders was at Darlington where Great Ayton were facing a crushing defeat when No 11 Ian West joined No 10 Henry Shelton at the crease with 15 overs still to be bowled.

The pair showed the straightest of bats to fend off all the bowlers could muster with Shelton unbeaten on 13 and West, fresh from a winter’s cricket in Australia, managing five runs and also proudly carrying his bat.

New professional Doug Mulholland (4-81 from 25 overs) and James Sutton (3- 24 from seven) tried their best to oust them but Ayton survived for a drawn finish on 155-9.

The game also featured the day’s outstanding bowling feat, eight wickets for Ayton’s pro Riaz Afridi in a 24 over spell of real pace.

Even so, Dan Hodgson (47) and Mark Stainsby (34) shared an opening stand worth 55 to set the Quakers on the way to 171 with Afridi finishing on 8-87.

Normanby Hall, who struggled in the bottom three for much of last season, got off to a flyer when they knocked over Northallerton.

New Town skipper Jon Barnes (62 not out and 4-50 from 24 overs) was in great form but it was too much of a one-man show to overcome the revitalised opponents for whom Durham all-rounder Paul Wiseman made an impressive debut.

He featured in a 125-ball innings of 62 runs which included nine boundaries.

Keith Martin enjoyed 21 overs to take five wickets for Normanby as he and Wiseman (3-54 in 18 overs of spin) proved a formidable combination, Hall winning by two wickets with eight balls remaining.

Billingham Synthonia, who surprised many by finishing seventh in the ratings last season, made a poor start when they were savaged by Bishop Auckland on their own patch.

Bishops made 188-6 with Gary Pratt hitting 45, sharing the honours with newcomer, Phil Holdsworth (42). Synners were bowled out for 109 with Pratt (3-14) and Ian Grainger (3-33) causing the damage.

Hartlepool won their derby with Blackhall thanks to a fearsome foursome, Mark Symington (5-44), Ian Palmer (5-52), Alan Tebbett (72 not out) and Chris Fawcett (53).

Owen Gwyn got 65 of the Colliers’ 157 but Pools discovered knocking off the runs for the loss of just four wickets was much easier than expected for a side missing three of its principal performers.

Marton took on a stretching target against Guisborough and failed by 12 runs in an pulsating finish which saw boundaries galore. Chris Lane (48) set the pace with Mohammed Zahid (three fours and a six) and Chris Veasey (four fours and a six) unfortunate to lose their potential winning partner, John Glendenen, run out just as he broke loose.

Earlier Martin Hood hit 49 on his return to his old club but Neil Russell, the Priory professional, was the real star with an unbeaten 85 including 52 in boundaries in 42 overs at the crease.

Guisborough made 185-7 and Marton got one less bonus point as they finished on 174- 7.

In Division One last season’s championship runners-up, Barnard Castle, made a winning start, as did Seaton Carew and Stokesley, with the other two fancied sides for a promotion challenge, Redcar and Saltburn, playing out a bracing seaside derby draw.