Middleton St George had five wickets to spare overtaking the modest Catterick Village total of 83 for seven, writes Malcolm Pratt.

The visitors batted 30 overs and top scorer was Malcolm Carble with an unbeaten 27 which included three boundaries but most of the time the batsmen were well contained by the four man Middleton St George attack.

David McKenna top performed taking three for 29 in 11 overs three of which were maidens.

Replying Middleton St George won after 24 overs posting a score of 86 for five. Opener Simon Rogers made the game's top score carrying his bat for 43 which included one six and four boundaries. He formed an unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket with John Bainbridge (26no) which produced 60 valuable runs after the home side had stumbled to 26 for five. Frear had a good day with the ball for Catterick Village taking all five wickets for 45 runs in 12 overs.

Heighington had just five runs to spare at the end of their home game with Barningham. When they made first use of the wicket Heighington realised 129 all out which included 48 by Beaumont while for Barningham, Mossford claimed three for 47, Moore two for 22 and French two for 29.

When they responded, Barningham were in with a chance after Lowes contributed 29 but the innings eventually closed in 124 as Olney returned three for nine, Waite three for 18 and Beaumont three for 27.

Cliffe were all out for 115 but still defeated Witton le Wear by 22 runs. Opening batsman Rogerson top performed making 32 and his colleague Knight added 20 to the Cliff total while for Witton le Wear, Sneath was in excellent form with the ball capturing seven wickets for 49 runs. Penfold gave support with two for 26.

When they responded, Witton le Wear conceded to early wickets before Bannister (25) and Sneath with 36 formed a productive partnership for the third wicket but following their dismissals wickets fell cheaply and the innings ended at 93. Carrick took five wickets for just 20 runs and Curry three for nine while Adamson also gave support in the Cliff attack with two for 23.

Rockcliffe Park overtook the Haughton total of 104 for eight with eight of their wickets remaining. Pybus added 36 and Krishnan an unbeaten 38 after he took five wickets for just 41 runs and Pybus two for nine when the home side reached 104 for eight. McGuire and Spark who opened for Houghton, both made 26 runs.

Raby Castle defeated Ingleton by four wickets. Relying to the visitors' total of 123 for five, Raby Castle's first three batsmen contributed just three runs between them but Wilson with 31 and Scaife (43) led a winning recovery. Ingleton too also made a poor start to their innings before Stuart Dawson (36) and Mike Batey, who ended unbeaten on 37, set the scene for a final score of 123 for five which also included 22 not out by Angus. Jones produced the best bowling figures of the game claiming three for 41.

Cockerton lost by 38 runs when they hosted Barton who, making first use of the wicket, ended with the formidable total of 184 for nine on the board. McAfee (36) and Miller with 32 formed a good partnership for the third wicket and afterwards there were runs from Headon (26), Frankland with 27 and Fawcett who remained unbeaten on 22.

Glew took five of the nine wickets to fall for 84 runs and Lethbridge had two for 42.

Responding, Cockerton managed only 146 for six which included 53 by Opened Tomlin. Dale added 22 and Fenton 23 but Barton were never seriously troubled as Pheasant captured four for 40.

In Division B, Dales were all our for just 50 at Trimdon CCA for whom Carter took six wickets for a mere 24 runs and Watchman two for nine.

When they replied Trimdon CCA won losing just three wickets as Gofton scored 21 and Churlish an unbeaten 20.

Runs were more plentiful at Middleton Tyas where Middleton in Teesdale won by a margin of 69 runs.

When they batted first, Middleton in Teesdale were given an excellent start by Bradley with 35 and Watson (60) so that a total of 169 was realised even though Mann returned three for 33 and Baxter three for 43 in the home attack.

Replying, Middelton Tyas ended with 100 all out which included a top scoring 21 by Williams. Coatesworth was in splendid form with the ball for Middleton in Teesdale claiming five wickets for 56 runs and Watson took three wickets for just two runs.

Rockcliffe Park overtook the Eryholme total of 145 for seven with seven wickets remaining. Pounder opened with 28 and Marshall made 25 before Lowe carried his bat for 68 in a total of 148 for three. All three wickets were claimed by Walker for 38 runs.

Batting first, Eryholme were indebted to Chisman who made more than half his team's total of 145 for seven, contributing 80 when he opened the batting. Raby captured three for 19 and Pounder three for 23 for Rockcliffe Park.

Heighington were all for just 100 but made Lands fight all the way before losing by one wicket. Sowerby opened with 42 when Heighington batted first and for Lands, Cummings, had five for 17 and Lindsley three for 52.

Elstob opened the home side's reply scoring 24 and Little added 25 but in the end Lands' last pair was at the wicket with Elliott winning the game scoring an unbeaten 16 in partnership with Rochester. Fawcett and Jamieson bowled throughout for Heighington. Fawcett had five for 47 and Jamieson four for 51 but it was Lands who squeezed to victory.

Aldbrough St John managed only 84 all out at Spennithorne and Harmby who won by seven wickets. Walker took four for 24, Molineaux three for six and Burton two for 24 for the home attack and in reply, Spennithorne were indebted to Barrow who carried his bat for 35 and to Greaves who contributed 29.

East Cowton, lost by seven wickets to Brompton on Swale when they were dismissed for 106 by the bowling of Nicholson (5-34) and Atkinson, with four for 42. Clark top scored for East Cowton making 22.

When they replied, Brompton on Swale lost two early wickets but McGough added 27 before being run out and Atkinson then completed a man of the match performance carrying his bat for 34.

In Division C, Raby Castle crashed to 33 all out against Spennymoor for whom Rowell took three for 13 and Atrill four for 11, this after Spennymoor posted 165 for five.

Haughton made the creditable total of 202 for five but still lost by five wickets to Aldbrough St John while Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill defeated Cliffe by ten wickets. Cliff were all out for 51 with Craggs taking ten and Owens five for 34.

Cockerton totalled 93 for nine losing by nine wickets to Barningham for whom Bell ended unbeaten on 58 and Lands were dismissed for 83 replying to the King James total of 118 for five which included 43 by Davidson.

Brack, with four for 34 and Hill (4-17) shared the wickets for King James.

Barningham had plenty to spare when they played Trimdon CCA. Pollard (34) and Bainbridge (31) led Barningham to 186 for nine with Carter taking five for 51 in the Trimdon CCA attack. Responding Trimdon were all out for 128 as Bainbridge took four for 22.