Loftus maintained their position at the top of the table, but they had to work hard for victory following a low scoring game with Brotton.

Runs were always at a premium and Brotton managed only 58 all out as Jeff Morrison took five wickets for 30 runs in 12.2 overs and Robert Whitwell captured the other five at a cost of only 19 runs from the 12 overs he bowled. Whitwell sent down six maidens.

The hopes of Loftus for an easy victory were soon hit when Ian Yeoman got among the wickets. He took four for 26 in seven overs before Loftus won with a total of 62 for six on the board achieved from 14.5 overs.

Hinderwell are second and they romped to a nine wickets victory at Normanby Parklands. The home side managed only 127 all out which included 33 by opening batsman Mead and 27 from Amar. Swain returned figures of three for 31 and Sivills took two wickets at a cost of just 16 runs.

When they replied Hinderwell quickly dominated through a first wicket stand between Spenceley (34) and Lyth (41no). Following the dismissal of Spenceley, Lyth found an able partner in Sivills and when he finished on 50 not out victory was achieved for the loss of one wicket.

Dormans declared with 176 for eight on the board following 34 overs in their home game with Norton. Stephen Patton struck five fours in 48, Craig Dale had one six and four boundaries in an unbeaten 44 and Kenny Holland contributed 43 with six fours. David Skirving returned three for 56 from 12 overs and Brookes Snr took three for 30 from the eight overs he bowled in the Norton attack.

When they replied the visitors managed only 93 in 29 overs. Pyle opened the innings scoring 22 and Harker added 21, but generally the batsmen were well contained by Robert Hadfield who in 12 overs, captured three wickets for 33 runs and Ghafoor who in an impressive 14 overs spell, picked up five wickets for 44 runs.

Staithes managed only 101 all out, but The Merlin lost eight wickets before recording victory. Mullen, with five for 52 and Burdon four for 36, were the bowlers who caused Staithes their problems. Early wickets fell at regular intervals before Theaker remained unbeaten on 30 and his contribution took the visitors' total into three figures.

The Merlin also made a bad start to their reply, but eventually edged home with late scores of 27 by Appleton and 31 from Burdon. Allen, with four for 45 and Thornton three for 31, almost pulled the game out of the fire for Staithes.

There was an exciting conclusion to the high scoring game between Ormesby Hall and Paragonians. It looked as if Paragonians had built up a winning score when they realised 237 for seven. After the dismissal of the opening pair for a combined total of eight runs, Paragonians recovered through Briscoe, who hit a magnificent 101 and Hughes (48). Rhoden added 23 and the healthy total was realised even though Peacock took three for 73 and McCabe three for 82 in the home side's attack.

When Ormesby Hall replied Wilkinson gave the innings a good start scoring 71 before Heaney with 48 and Trotter (44) raised the hopes of the home team, but in the end Ormesby Hall just won with their last pair at the wicket. Rhoden took five of the nine wickets to fall for 75 runs.

Boosbeck lead division two following their five wickets success at Dormanstown. Required to score 152, they made a poor start to their reply when both openers were dismissed without scoring. Daynes, who went in at number three, steadied the ship with 27, but it was Oakley (52no) and Brown with an unbeaten 49, which won the day as they were involved in an unbroken century partnership for the sixth wicket. Lloyd claimed four of the five wickets to fall at a cost of 48 runs.

When they batted first Dormanstown were all out for 151. Johnson scored 45 and Robson 37 while for Boosbeck, Lorraines had five wickets for only 15 runs and Daynes took the other five which cost him 43 runs.

Moorsholm are second after drawing their game at New Marske. Batting first Moorsholm ended on 189 for seven, which included 26 by Dowson, 39 from Law and 29 by Allison. Bangay carried his bat for 22 and for New Marske, the most successful bowler was Alderson with figures of three for 51.

When they responded New Marske made a poor start before Burns contributed 25 and Pollock carried his bat for 35. Hailstone (20) and Alderson with an undefeated 27, were also in form and the innings eventually closed at 126 for four when the overs expired. Burton with two for 54 and Bangay with two for 27 shared the four New Marske wickets.

Cowpen Bewley won by 141 runs in their home game with Normanby Parklands. Paul Havert (30) and Stephen Quinn put on 82 for the opening partnership when Cowpen Bewley batted first and ended with 196 for five declared on the board compiled from only 41.3 overs. Quinn went on to make 53 hitting six boundaries and his 50 came from just 93 deliveries. Matt Humphries added 37 with one six and three fours while for Normanby Parklands Mallon bowled a lengthy 16 overs and was well worth his figures of two for 52.

When the visitors replied they slumped to 56 all out in 14.3 overs. Humphries did most damage taking three for 15 from five overs and the other wickets were shared by Walker, Fisher and Carr.

Loftus ended on 155 for seven and then bowled out Skelton Castle for just 74. Hogarth top scored with 26 for Skelton Castle who found the bowling of Shaw, who returned the magnificent figures of five wickets for one run, too much to handle. Pearson had figures of three for 31 for Loftus.

When they went into bat first the visitors made an indifferent start but Laughran with an unbeaten 48, led the side to an eventual total of 155 for seven. Hogarth with three for 25 and Hill whose two wickets were taken for 49 runs, shared five of the seven Loftus wickets to fall.

Ormesby Hall had just eight runs to spare at Blacksmiths Arms. Batting first the visitors ended on 150 all out which included 36 by Spilliane and 31 from Burns. Hutchinson had a good day with the ball for Blacksmiths Arms and his six wickets were taken for 22 runs while Pellin returned figures of two for 19.

Replying Blacksmiths Arms made a splendid start through openers Sherwood (42) and Barker (28). Hetherington, who went in at number four, contributed 26, but thereafter wickets fell cheaply and the innings ended on 142 as Campbell took six wickets for 19.