MARTON quickly saw off the challenge from Guisborough last Sunday to maintain pole position in Division One.

They had the home side back in the pavilion for just 88 runs as Matthew Telling took 6-37 in 17 overs.

Graham Shaw (48no) and Andrew Morrow (40no) then swept the leaders to an emphatic ten-wicket victory.

Second-top Thornaby also collected maximum points from their visit to Bedale, whose 150-8 was overtaken for the loss of just two wickets. Dean Metcalfe returned 5-34 for Thornaby and Malcolm Muldowney hit 87 not out.

Seaton Carew still required 64 runs with six wickets remaining when rain caused the abandonment of their home fixture with Wolviston.

Danny Morgans (62), Kevin Barker (54) and Colin Biglin (59) all scored freely to raise the Darlington total to 247-3 at home to Yarm, who rose to the occasion but were just five runs short of victory with six wickets remaining.

Wilson (81no) and Barker (86) were the leading run-makers in an intriguing match.

Stokesley's batsmen also responded to a big target to defeat Redcar by seven wickets in another rain-affected game. David Weighell (84) and Andy Weighell (94no) were dominant.

On Saturday, Marton conceded the last unbeaten record when they went down to Thornaby.

Runs were in short supply throughout before Thornaby edged to a two-wicket victory after 51.4 overs. Their match-winner was Umar Rashid, who finished unbeaten on 32 when Jack Conway and Dean Kirby, who shared seven wickets, almost snatched victory for Marton.

Batting first, Marton laboured through 46.4 overs to make only 122, which included 36 by Chris Lane and 35 from Gary Shaw.

Rashid has proved an inspired signing for Thornaby and he took his total number of wickets to an impressive 40 when he returned 6-40 from a continuous spell of 23.4 overs. He was well supported in the attack by Faz Hussain, with 3-23 in 12 overs.

Seaton Carew, who started the day in second place, went down by 66 runs to Blackhall, who ended just one run short of 200 before Seaton stumbled to 133 all out in 46.3 overs.

Chris Allinson batted throughout to lead Guisborough to a nine-wicket victory over Yarm at Fountains Garth. The talented 15-year-old hit a couple of sixes and 15 boundaries in an unbeaten 107 out of a total of 145 compiled from just 29 overs.

Another Guisborough youngster, 14-year-old Josh Carroll, captured 4-57 in 12 overs and Steve Donlon had 5-34 from 17 overs, including eight maidens, when Yarm were all out for 144 in 49 overs.

Darlington faced a huge target of 237 set by Bedale at Feethams, but they rose to the occasion to win by five wickets with an over remaining.

Openers Danny Morgans (55) and Keith Barker, whose 88 included 12 boundaries, laid the foundations and, although Brendan Elsworth picked up 3-22 when introduced as fourth change, the home side edged home.

James Clarkson batted throughout for Bedale, ending undefeated on 102 with 11 boundaries, as his side realised 236-4 from the 50 overs.

Clive Dowson was in super form for Stokesley against Barnard Castle. He took 5-12 in 10.3 overs and Neil Parkin had 3-14 as the visitors were sent back for just 90 after 40.3 overs.

Parkin was also in form with the bat for Stokesley, hitting no fewer than six sixes and four boundaries in 60 which, together with 38 from David Weighell, enabled the home side to reach 164.

Mark Little produced the best bowling performance of the day but, despite claiming 8-67 in a marathon 25-over spell, he still ended on the losing side.

Darlington RA were all out for just 103 in 43 overs, losing by seven wickets at Normanby Hall.

Stuart Bell opened with 43 and Neil I'Anson added 37 as the pair produced most of the runs. Geoff Robinson was in excellent form for the Hall and took 7-14 in 16 overs, nine of them maidens.

The game at Redcar was affected by the weather. Batting first, the Seasiders totalled 210-3 in 44 overs as Steve Hutchinson struck ten fours out of 70. Lee Powell (37), Malcolm Whitehead (33) and Rob Whelan (37no) all made useful contributions.

Ian Brooksbank (45) held Wolviston's reply together and at close of play they were 165-8 with four of the wickets falling to Whelan at a cost of 46 runs in 16 overs