Brenton McDonald could hardly have made a better debut leading newly-promoted Billingham Synthonia to victory over Darlington at Feethams.

The 21-year old leg-spinner from Victoria quickly changed the course of the home side's innings when he was introduced as second-change.

Neil Pratt (45) and his opening partner Steve Chapman (36) were going well, but both fell victim to the Aussie who returned the outstanding figures of 6-71.

From a promising start, Darlington's innings ended at 176-8 and McDonald then took over with the bat.

Batting at No 3, he quickly made his way to the crease and was still there at the end contributing a match-winning 78 to his side's five-wicket victory.

Darlington RA fared better than their neighbours when they drew their opening fixture at Marske.

Rob Nicol began with a half century leading the Seasiders to 153-9 with Reetinder Sodhi and Andrew Russell both picking up three wickets.

RA made a useful start in replying through David Eckels (30) and Sodhi with 35 but Marske's new left-arm spinner Lee Beaumont pitched in with three wickets and at stumps, the visitors managed only 127-6.

Great Ayton were within one wicket of claiming Bishop Auckland's scalp at Kingsway.

Faced with a target of 181, Bishops lost three batsmen for a total of only six runs before Matthew Brown (40) and Ben Usher with 31 retrieved the position.

Despite their efforts though, it was an uphill battle against the twin attack of Colin Murray (5-21) and Anthony Doyle (3-24).

Bishops last pair played out two overs and at close of play the innings realised only 140-9.

Batting first, Great Ayton made 180-7 mainly as the result of the efforts of Gary Mudd with 75 and Doyle (31).

Northallerton had a couple of wickets in hand at Redcar. Two of their first three batsmen failed to get off the mark, but the ever-reliable Jonathan Barnes (38) and Ian Gill, weighing in with 55, laid the foundations for a match-winning total of 148-8.

Neil Russell and Stuart Mackay shared seven wickets for Redcar who batting first, were all out for 146 as John Sample returned the splendid figures of 5-35 and Barnes took 3-63. Tom Urwin hit a half century and Andy Hassack 38 for the Seasiders.

Middlesbrough overtook the Richmondshire total of 207-4 with six wickets and more than five overs to spare.

Mark Croft (62) and Dave Birkett (34) provided a formidable opening partnership but it was Alex Roberts who took the eye, hitting 14 boundaries in 89 compiled from only 80 deliveries.

Clive Layfield had a six and eight fours out of 68 and Mike Fleming contributed 51 with seven boundaries for Richmond and in the Boro attack the only player to claim success was Janisar Hussain with 4-45 in ten overs.

Saltburn were struggling with their last pair at the wicket at home to Normanby Hall whose opening bowlers Steve McNicholas and Mohamed Zahid almost snatched victory.

Zahid had the incredible figures of 3-23 from 25 overs, bowling no fewer than 15 overs. Tim Hood's unbeaten 30 batting at number five was crucial to Saltburn's survival.

Neil Pearson became the first player in the league to score a century this season when he took an unbeaten 101 off the Saltburn attack. He recorded two sixes and 12 fours as the Hall totalled 199-8 from their 50 overs. Lee Hodgson and Navdeep Singh both took three wickets for Saltburn.

Four-times champions Guisborough started with a win at Fountains Garth.

David Towse sent down 25 overs conceding just 32 for five wickets as Hartlepool were pegged to 121-7 from 50 overs. Their top scorer was Andy Carter with an undefeated 35.

The champions did not have things all their own way, but eventually had three wickets and ten overs to spare thanks mainly to the efforts of opener Graeme Murray whose half century which included a six and six boundaries, was crucial