Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Billingham Synthonia are still out in front even though they shared the honours with third-top Seaton Carew.

James Manners, eight boundaries and a six in 76, and John Steel (31) laid the foundations for Synners' near-200 total which also included an unbeaten 52 from Vinod Nair.

Seaton's reply never seriously threatened although Martin Skirving again showed form adding 53 to the total of 156-8. Martin Cull took five for 46 runs bowling unchanged for 25 overs which included eight maidens.

Marton are second, after only drawing at home to Thornaby where runs were plentiful. Mark Foster struck four sixes and 11 boundaries, failing by seven runs to make a century as Marton romped to 243-5 declared in 48 overs.

Thornaby's reply was positive but rarely threatened the target even though Ian MacDonald (36), Mike Dex (49) and Metcalfe, with an unbeaten 45, all showed form. At stumps they were 209-6 from 52 overs.

Barnard Castle's title hopes took a knock at Yarm where they lost by four wickets. Bilal Mustafa and Chris Wilson shared seven wickets restricting the visitors to 109, which took 49.2 overs to compile.

Yarm did not have things all their own way but an unbeaten 59 by Chris Wilson, who batted throughout the innings, secured victory with four wickets and less than two overs to spare.

Darlington easily saw off the challenge from Guisborough at Feethams. Simon Gough found the boundary line eight times making 74 and both Danny Morgans and Colin Biglin added 46 to the home side's impressive total of 236-8.

Alex Deuchar conceded 18 runs in 10.1 overs for three wickets and John Stock took four for only 17 runs as Guisborough were all out for 107.

Although their target was a modest 129, Bedale had just one wicket remaining against Marske. All six bowlers utilised by Bedale captured wickets before Rashid claimed 5-41 in 16 overs as the home side scraped home.

Wolviston had four wickets in hand over Redcar. Fish opened with 53 and Johnny Woolnough added 32 to the home team's total of 162-6 despite Hunter returning a useful 3-24.

Batting first, Redcar posted 160-7 which included a late 37 from Potter and a similar score by Wilson when he opened the innings.

Stokesley were another side to have batsmen still in the pavilion when they overtook the Normanby Hall total of 169-9. Davis (33) and Jay Stockham with 87 gave the home side a good send-off and thereafter there were no problems.

Five players passed 20 but none made 30 for the Hall as Bede returned 5-50 and Dowson 3-39 in the Stokesley attack.