Middleton St George are still ahead of Division A and they won for the 16th time in 17 outings defeating Cliffe by 112 runs.

When they made first use of the wicket Middleton posted the formidable total of 221 for seven mainly as a result of the efforts of Ayub who went in at number three and carried his bat for 100. Hall gave admirable support with 63 while in the Cliffe attack Russell captured three wickets for 29 runs and Walton two for 42. Adamson was also among the wickets picking up two.

When they replied Cliffe made an uncertain start to their innings when three players failed to get off the mark and two had to retire but Braithwaite added respectability to the total by scoring 50 before the innings ended on 109. Hussain claimed three wickets for 11 runs, P Rodgers had three for 12 and Simon Rodgers two for 21.

Rockliffe Park are second and they had five wickets in hand of Raby Castle. The home side batted first and realised 112 when most of the runs came from Wilson (52). The batsmen were troubled by the bowling of Garbutt who claimed no fewer than six wickets for a mere 29 runs while Krishnan took two for 28.

When they went into bat Rockliffe Park conceded two wickets but Pybus, who opened, remained firm in a partnership with Krishnan. Pybus was eventually bowled by Poole with 32 and Krishnan made 37 before being caught, but by then the Park were on their way to a five wickets win. Jones was the most productive bowler in the Raby Castle attack taking three wickets for 41 runs.

Barton defeated Cockerton by eight wickets. Batting first Cockerton posted 143 for three which included 20 by Tomlin, 22 from Dale and an unbeaten 32 by Lethbridge and 34 not out Lease. J Frankland captured two wickets for 41 runs before Barton replied losing two wickets. Lockey opened the innings and ended unbeaten with 40, Miller contributed 24 and Murray carried his bat for 57.

Ingleton managed only 120 for nine visiting Haughton. Their first three batsmen managed only 15 runs between before Michael Batey top scored with 32 and Watson contributed 22 while for Haughton McAusey returned figures of four for 22 and Edwards also conceded 22 runs taking three wickets.

Replying Haughton were never troubled as Maguire (34no) and Bean (68) put together a productive partnership for the second wicket and when the winning run was achieved Haughton had eight batsmen remaining.

Aldbrough St John were sent crashing to just 27 all out by Heighington for whom Boocock returned the magnificent figures of nine wickets for just 12 runs. Heighington reached the necessary total without conceding a wicket when Jackson and Wilson opened the innings.

Although they totalled 191 for eight Witton-le-Wear still lost to Barningham who won by five wickets. Although the home side lost an early wicket Mossford (32) and Newton (31) were both in good form for Barningham and afterwards French ended unbeaten on 63 out of a total of 196 for five. Nelson took two for 54 and Penfold two for 75 for Witton-le-Wear.

When they made first use of the wicket the visitors had Chrisp in form and he opened with 63. Nelson added 23 and Snaith 44 while for Barningham, Kearton took four for 34, Walker three for 23 and French three for 77.

Rockliffe Park are ahead of Catterick Village in the race for the championship of Division B. Rockliffe Park hosted Middleton-in-Teesdale and overtook the visitors' total of 168 for eight with half their wickets remaining. Edwards batted throughout and was unbeaten on 75 while Elenor made 57 before being run out. Graham (20) then partnered Edwards and victory was in sight before he was bowled by Watson, who ended with two for 64.

Coatesworth gave the Middleton-in-Teesdale innings a perfect send off by scoring 73 before Shield made 36 and Watson 51. Lowe returned four for 65 and Westgarth four for 70 for Rockliffe Park.

Catterick Village are only 13 points behind Rockliffe Park after securing an eight wickets success at home to Lands who were pegged to 134 for eight including 47 by opener Elstob.

Jacobs carried his bat for 22 and in the home attack none did better than Galey who took five of the eight wickets to go down for 64 runs.

Responding Catterick Village were never in difficulties. Galey made 20 before being bowled and Carter was on 22 when run out, but the impetus was maintained by Oselton, who carried his bat for 75.

Middleton Tyas were all out in 21.2 overs for just 58 runs and suffered a ten wickets defeat at East Cowton. Brian Tucker had five wickets for 32 runs in 11 overs and Charlie Copeland five for 24 from the 10.2 overs he delivered.

Replying East Cowton needed only 10.5 overs and did not concede a wicket as man of the match Tucker hit two sixes and six boundaries in an unbeaten 40 partnering Clark for the opening partnership which produced 62 runs without being broken.

Spennymoor just edged Dales by two runs following a relatively high scoring game. Nicholls (42), Spence (22) and Potts (64) propelled Spennymoor to 168 for nine as Hutchinson captured five wickets for 67 runs and Simpson took two for 39.

When they replied Dales recovered from a difficult start and Simpson (42) and Blowson (51) raised their hopes of victory. Despite the assistance of 32 extras Dales could only post 166 for seven, three runs short of a winning margin. Collingwood was the only bowler to claim wickets for Spennymoor ending with three for 70 as no fewer than four batsmen were run out in the chase for runs.

Spennithorne and Harmby managed only 70 and were defeated by seven wickets at home to Eryholme for whom Robson returned outstanding figures of five wickets for seven runs and Craggs gave him support with three for 34. In reply Eryholme lost three wickets as four of the five batsmen reached double figures. Fowler picked up two of the three wickets to fall for 26 runs.

Heighington dismissed Trimdon for 105 runs with Overfield taking four wickets for just six runs, Jamieson three for 54 and Gibson two for 32. Hodgson opened for Trimdon CCA making 24 but his was the biggest contribution.

When they batted first Heighington had 167 for eight on the board which included 33 by Sowerby and 52 from Church. Hodgson added 22 and for Trimdon who used only two bowlers, Watchman picked up five wickets for 92 runs.

In Division C Barton rushed to 242 for three before declaring. Jones hit a fine 127, Kelly carried his bat for 58 and Bell added 30 before Cockerton were all out for just 33.

Brompton on Swale did even better than Barton realising 245 for six in their game with Haughton. McGough led the way with 147 not out and Frankland added 35, while for Haughton Cull made 32 not out of a total of 78 for eight. Nicholson claimed four of the wickets for 11 runs.

Raby Castle defeated Lands by ten wickets when Stewart took three for 15 reducing Lands to 63 all out, while Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill edged Barningham by just 11 runs following a highs scoring game.

When they made first use of the wicket Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill realised 182 for six which included 41 by Hemmingway and 35 from Franks while for Barningham Banks picked up three wickets for 70 runs. Barningham went close but when time ran out they had made only 171 for five of which Metcalfe scored 55, Moore an unbeaten 49 and Luck 30.