Saltburn moved into pole position for the first time this season when they gained a winning draw from their top-of-the-table clash with Northallerton, who had been ahead since the opening day.

Tony Bell (79) and Adil Ditta with 36 were the principal contributors to the Seasiders' useful total of 218-6. Once again, Jonathan Barnes bowled unchanged in the Northallerton line-up and in 25 overs he claimed three wickets for 69 runs with six maidens. The other three were taken by Doug Mulholland for 77 runs in 13 overs.

Northallerton made an uncertain start to their reply as Umer Rashid took three of the first four wickets but Barnes stood firm and when he ended unbeaten on 49, the visitors responded with 155-6.

Guisborough did not make the best of starts but they now appear to be in the form which earned them three successive championships. David Towse, with 4-21 and Paul Goodchild (4-40) sent Great Ayton back for just 72 at Fountains Garth.

Imran Jan quickly completed a nine-wickets victory ending unbeaten on 48.

Bishop Auckland are fourth after their high-scoring game at Marske. Richard Hawthorne and Amul Mazumdar both made half centuries leading Bishops to 244-8 despite Richie Rennard taking 3-49 and Stuart McKay 4-55.

Rob Nichol was the architect of the Marske innings and his 65 runs were vital to a total of 185-8. Bishops took a healthy 15 points from the game.

Normanby Hall had eight wickets to spare overtaking the Richmondshire total of 159. Mohamed Zahid claimed the prize wicket of Shanoka Dissanayake who for once failed to make an impact.

Andy Smith though with 55 and Mark Fleming (39) lifted Richmond to 159 even though Zahid ended with six wickets for 73 runs.

Neil Pearson (46) and Steve McNicholas with an unbeaten 59 formed a productive second-wicket partnership and Hall celebrated their third success of the season.

Hartlepool gained a welcome win over Middlesbrough at Acklam Park. Ashley Day sent down 20 overs, including seven maidens returning 4-56 and Boro were back in the pavilion for only 125. Colin Haslet top-scored with 30.

Despite facing a modest target, Pools conceded six wickets and batted just one over less than their hosts before securing victory.

They were indebted to Danny Shurmer who stroked six fours in 42 while for Boro, Brett Roberts had figures of 4-53 in 11 overs.

Paul Moss made a crucial 69 and Mahmood Fazal a useful 37 to the Blackhall total of 211-8 but in a close finish Darlington RA responded with 197-6.

David Eckels opened with 56 and captain for the day Paul Freary made 70.

Darlington were precariously placed against Redcar at Feethams where their last pair were at the wicket. Indeed, but for a half century by Duncan Johnson batting at number eight, the home side would surely have suffered defeat.

He eventually became one of Suleiman Benn's three victims taken at a cost of 38 runs and Neil Russell also had a good day in the Redcar attack ending with 4-35 from 15 overs as Darlington tottered on 157-9 at stumps.

Redcar's batsmen were more assured. Martin Hood and Neil Russell put on 140 in an opening stand which laid the foundations for a total of 236-9 in 50 overs.

Hood marginally beat his colleague hitting 11 fours in 87 while Russell had 13 boundaries out of 85. Stephen Chapman bowled a lengthy 18 overs in the Darlington attack capturing 7-74 but even so, Redcar were in the ascendancy and Darlington were no doubt pleased when time was up.