Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Wolviston lost ground in the race for the championship when they suffered a five-wicket defeat visiting Marton.

Shivan Hutton bowled impressively in the home attack and his 24 economical overs were rewarded with figures of 6-68 as Wolviston were all out with only 144 on the board. Ian Brooksbank was their top scorer, his 63 including four boundaries.

Although they conceded an early wicket, Marton quickly established winning credentials through a second-wicket partnership by Danny Trodden and Matthew Benfield. The former struck five fours in 42 and Benfield found the boundary line on six occasions contributing a half century.

Seaton Carew, who are also in contention for promotion, had to settle for a draw against Billingham Synthonia, but found comfort in gaining 15 points.

Richie Clayton batted throughout and after hitting one six and 11 fours out of 101 in partnership with Richie Evans, who had 14 boundaries out of 102, the innings was declared closed after the pair put together an unbroken partnership of 203 for the second wicket.

The Synners faced a formidable challenge but because Seaton declared after 42 overs, they had 58 overs available. At the end, they were on 208-8 and comfortably gained a draw mainly through the efforts of Derek Fairley, with 13 fours in 63, and John Manners, whose 44 included eight fours.

John Fitzpatrick sent down 19 overs in the Seaton attack, returning 3-73 while Evans, introduced as fourth change, picked up three for five runs in as many overs.

Marske overtook the Bedale total of 185-9 with eight wickets and three overs to spare. Andrew Batchelor was three runs short of a century, ending undefeated with 97, which included a six and 12 boundaries. Raf Rashid gave support, contributing 56 as the pair paced the Marske reply.

When they batted first, Bedale lost three early wickets before Clarkson (55) and Hall with 36 came together in a productive partnership.

Darlington were unable to claim the last Barnard Castle wicket and had to accept a share of the points. The home side needed 206 for victory, but never seriously threatened even though Michael Stanwix contributed 34 and Mark Little 38.

A total of only 157-9 was achieved before time was called with Robert Lawrence returning 3-33 from 15 overs and Mattie Morgans 3-45 from the ten overs he delivered in the visiting attack.

Colin Biglin produced form with the bat for Darlington and his 66 had three sixes and seven fours. Keith Barker struck five boundaries making 33, and although Andrew Toulson returned 3-53 in 14 overs. And Nick Cavanagh 4-64 from 14.4 overs, Darlington still passed 200.

Great Ayton had 117 runs to spare at Stokesley, who were back in the pavilion for just 138 as Andrew Doyle claimed five of the wickets for 64 runs and David Grainge picked up three wickets for a mere 12 runs.

Runs were a lot more plentiful when Great Ayton made first use of the wicket and realised 255-6. David Grainge opened with 53, Doyle adding 47 and John Grainge 72.

The Middlesbrough total of 175-8 was overtaken with five Normanby Hall wickets remaining. Opener Thwaites was on 43 when run out and Addison made a useful 39, but the Hall innings also included 37 extras.

Ian Blewitt made a half century leading Boro to 175-8 even though Brown took four for 60 and Robinson 3-46 in the home attack.

Law struck 103 and Douglas made 86 as the runs flowed for the Redcar pair at Guisborough.

They assisted their side to a total of 263-9 and when time was called, the home side were 208-7 which included 43 by Wyatt and an unbeaten 33 from Ryan Murray.

* Nick Knight's third century of the season in the Frizzell County Championship on Saturday lifted Warwickshire out of the bottom three in the First Division at Edgbaston.

The England one day international opener made an unbeaten 122, including 20 fours, in a dash to a target of 265 for an eight-wicket victory over Leicestershire with more than a day to spare.

The only hitch in a convincing performance was an injury to Ian Bell, who suffered a suspected fracture in the little finger of his left hand when hit by a short delivery from Matt Whiley.

Warwickshire's first win in eight games dragged Essex back into the relegation places and worsened Leicestershire's plight after nearly a year without a championship success. They are now in danger of dropping into Division Two for the first time, but Phil DeFreitas's team had every chance of breaking the grim sequence until an overnight slump to 121 for six in their second innings.

They eventually lost seven wickets for 31 between a partnership of 69 by Darren Maddy and Brad Hodge on Friday and a partial recovery in a stand of 66 by DeFreitas and Paul Nixon.

The ninth-wicket pair linked up after nightwatchman David Masters and Trevor Ward, who batted despite a fractured finger, had been fired out by Alan Richardson and Waqar Younis (four for 37) in successive overs.