Middleton St George are still favourites to clinch the Division A title despite losing to rivals Rockliffe Park in the penultimate game of the season at the weekend.

Middleton go into tomorrow's final match at home to Barton with a 13-point lead over Rockliffe, who enjoyed an 82 runs success when the sides met on Saturday.

Rockliffe Park ended with 178 for seven on the board which included 80 by Fidell and 34 from Krishnan while for Middleton St George Simon Rogers took three of the five wickets to fall for 60 runs.

When they went into bat Middleton St George were all out for just 96 and suffered only their second defeat in 21 outings. Rockliffe Park's last game is against Ingleton.

Raby Castle had just 14 runs to spare in their game at Witton-le-Wear where they realised 123 for eight from their 40 overs. Ian Dent top scored with 36 before he was run out and for Witton-le-Wear Alan Jones sent down 20 overs returning three for 68 and Nelson also delivered 20 overs claiming an economical two for 36.

When Witton-le-Wear replied they were all out for 109 in 37 overs and their top scorer was opening batsman David Penfold who struck seven boundaries making 34. Nick Jones claimed three wickets for 46 runs in 13 overs and Mark Poole had three for 24 from a hugely economical 16 overs, seven of which were maidens.

Barton had just 11 runs in hand of Cliffe who they dismissed in 39 overs for 150 including 52 by Chris Bowes with two sixes and three boundaries. James Frankland was in excellent form with the ball for Barton and his 19 overs, five of which were maidens, yielded figures of six for 59.

Batting first Barton were all out for 161 and their top scorer was Miller with 26 including three sixes and two fours. Richard Adamson bowled well for Cliffe taking five for 75 in 14 overs and Dave Walton returned three for 36 from the seven overs he sent down.

Ingleton were all out for 84 in their home game with Heighington and no fewer than 56 of the runs came from two players, Elgey with 33 and Wood with 23. Heighington replied with 85 for two as Riley carried his bat for 34 and Storey finished unbeaten with 25.

After totalling 190 for the loss of four wickets Barningham restricted Haughton to 137 all out. Mullins opened the Barningham innings scoring 47 and he was followed by Walker with 69 and Lowe who ended unbeaten on 47.

Wilkinson batted throughout the Haughton innings and finished with 75 not out to his credit, but Barningham won easily with 53 runs to spare as Kearton captured three wickets for a mere 12 runs.

Aldbrough St John had two wickets to spare following a high scoring game with Cockerton who batting first were dismissed for 165. Farrow, who went in at number three, scored 36 before being run out and Glew added 31 while for Aldbrough Sillars took three wickets for 26 runs and Hoyle four for 45.

In reply Aldbrough squeezed home with their ninth pair at the wicket. They were indebted to Mathias for his unbeaten 52 while Wood added a valuable 24 and Holehouse 28. Rawlings was the most successful bowler in the Cockerton attack with figures of four for 61.

Rockliffe Park are champions of Division B after they won their penultimate game of the season against East Cowton by more than 100 runs. Batting first Rockcliffe Park realised 196 for the loss of seven wickets as Marshall made 45 and Briggs contributed an unbeaten 53. Only two bowlers were used in the East Cowton attack with Whitfield returning three for 83 and Raw three for 98.

When they went into bat East Cowton were sent back with 94 runs on the board as Lowe claimed three wickets for 11 runs and both Edward and Westgarth claimed two wickets each.

Catterick Village finished runners-up despite losing by 83 runs to Heighington. Catterick, faced with a target of 197, were all out for 113 including 31 by Swainston. Lee Beaumont had a good day with the ball for Heighington and his spinners earned him five wickets for 36 runs while Overfield gave support with three for ten.

When they batted first Heighington raised 196 for eight which included 49 by Sowerby and 39 from Olney while in the Catterick attack Freer took four wickets for 38 and Galey three for 68.

Spennymoor were all out for 101 of which opening batsman Spence made a top scoring 30 in the home game with Middleton Tyas for whom Baxter claimed five wickets for 41 runs and Wilkinson three for 50.

When they made first use of the wicket Middleton Tyas posted 155 for eight of which opener Wiper contributed 66. Collingwood took four for 39 and Richardson two for 98 in the Spennymoor attack.

Wallace claimed six wickets for a mere 21 runs and Hutchinson returned three for 19 when Trimdon CCA were dismissed for 55 by Dales, who won by eight wickets as Wallace ended unbeaten with 44 out of a total of 58 for two.

Eryholme were well beaten at home to Lands. Batting first the visitors ended with a healthy 173 on top as opener Little scored 48 and Cummings, who went in at number three, 36. Walker took four for 56 and Lyne three for 49 for Eryholme who were dismissed for 109 when they replied. Harker opened with 34 and Warne added 37, but the match winner was Dalton, who picked up no fewer than seven wickets at a cost of just 23 runs in the Lands attack.