There could hardly have been a closer finish to the Division A game between Ingleton and Haughton which Ingleton won by just one run.

When they batted first Ingleton ended on 153 for nine which included 32 by opener Graham Elgey, while Hutchinson carried his bat for 25 and both Stuart Dawson and Heslop scored 22 runs each.

Colin Wilkinson was the most successful bowler in the visiting attack and his 11 overs yielded figures of four for 23 while Keane had three for 36 and Bean two for seven.

When they replied Haughton were indebted to Armstrong for his opening innings of 21 and to Wilkinson who made 20, but it was Dave Keane who almost won the match. He was on 45 when run out and the innings finished on 152 for nine. Doug Selkirk had three for 55, Osbourne returned two for 32 and Wood two for 43 for Ingleton.

In contrast, Middleton St George had 94 runs in hand of Cliffe. Ayub hit one six and nine boundaries in 78 compiled from only 67 deliveries as Middleton St George romped to 228 for six in 40 overs. Paul Rogers contributed 48 and Martin Hall 34 while for Cliffe, Richard Adamson had three wickets for 60 runs in 13 overs.

When they replied the first three Cliffe batsmen failed to score before Jeff Rogerson retrieved the situation scoring 46 with seven boundaries.

Martin Johnson finished undefeated on 43 also recording seven boundaries but the innings produced only 134 runs in 36 overs.

Joe Binks, aged 17, bowled a good end for Middleton St George claiming five wickets for only 17 runs in eight overs and Jonathan Churchman took three for 33 from the nine overs he sent down.

Barningham defeated Witton-le-Wear by 44 runs. Batting first Barningham ended on 158 for seven which included a top scoring by Keaton. Mullans (21), Lowes (19), Walker (23) and French, who carried his bat for 21, all made useful additions to the score, while for Witton-le-Wear, Nelson returned four for 51 and Jones three for 56.

When they replied Witton-le-Wear lost an early wicket before Penfold (20) and Nelson (29) raised their hopes, but just one other batsman managed double figures as the innings stuttered to 114 all out. Mossford captured four of the wickets for 33 runs and both Walker and Slater took two wickets apiece.

Krishnan was in magnificent form leading Rockliffe Park to a six wickets victory at home to Raby Castle. He claimed eight wickets for a meagre 22 runs and when Swannick took the other two at a cost of 53 runs, Raby Castle were all out for 91 which included 33 by opening batsman Poole.

Responding Rockliffe Park were indebted to opener Pybus for his 31 while Krishnan completed a magnificent performance contributing 26. Fidel and Garbutt were both there at there at the end as victory was achieved for the loss of just four wickets.

Barton also won comfortably at home to Cockerton after posting the big total of 245 for six. In a game where runs were plentiful Kearney topped the scoring charts with 89, Lockey made 81 and Pheasant carried his bat for 38 as Barton reached 245 for six. Three of the wickets were taken by Lethbridge at a cost of 28 runs and Lee, introduced as third change into the Cockerton attack, had figures of two for 39.

When Cockerton replied they conceded early wickets before Farrow and Black came together in a fourth wicket stand which raised their hopes. Farrow ended with 67 before being bowled and Black was caught after scoring 40. When the overs expired Cockerton were 164 for seven with three of the wickets having fallen to Headon for 43 runs. Frankland gave good support when he opened the attack taking two of the first three wickets to fall and finishing with figures of two for 19.

Heighington reached almost 200 before dismissing Aldbrough St John for 123. Replying to their formidable target Aldbrough recovered after losing one of their openers without scoring. Lewis, who went in first, made 53 before being trapped leg before and Priestley at number three contributed 32, but following their dismissals the innings ended on 123 all out. Waite was in splendid form with the ball for Heighington and his seven wickets cost 42 runs while Overfield took two for 43.

When they made first use of the wickets Heighington were well served by Riley with 47, Olney (49) and Paylor (32), while Smith added a useful 28 and Beamson 21. Hoyle was another bowler in the game to take seven wickets ending with seven for 102 while Sillers, the only other player to bowl in the Aldbrough attack, returned two for 85.

In Division B Dales overtook the Spennymoor total of 65, but not before they had conceded seven wickets in 32 overs. They were saved by Tony Bowers (23no) and Jonathan Simpson (22). The two players both found the boundary line on three occasions. Troup sent down 11 overs in the Spennymoor attack returning three for 19 and Rowell had three for 22 from the 16 overs he bowled.

Batting first Spennymoor were all out in 26 overs with only 65 runs on the board. Their destroyer was David Wallis who in a magnificent spell of 13 overs, which included eight maidens, claimed eight wickets for a miserly 20 runs. The other two wickets were taken by David Hutchinson for 16 runs in four overs.

Rockliffe Park faired even worse than Spennymoor and were all out in 23 overs for just 57 of which Steve Pounder scored no fewer than 34 of the runs carrying his bat. David Watson was another player to claim eight wickets at a cost of 32 runs in 12 overs and Anthony Coatesworth captured the other two wickets for 23 runs in 11 overs.

Middleton-in-Teesdale paced their reply and won without losing a wicket. Anthony Coatesworth hit a couple of boundaries in an unbeaten 23 and Neil Watson had three fours making 28 not out.

Lands, too, found run making difficult at home to Catterick Village and were dismissed with only 85 runs on the board. Parsons was in splendid form picking up six wickets for 42 and Galey had four for 15.

Catterick Village though did not find it easy before eventually winning by three wickets. Galey completed a good performance by opening the Catterick innings and scoring a valuable 28 runs, but Simpson (3-15) and Dalton (2-35) almost snatched victory for Lands.

Middleton Tyas realised 209 for three before bowling out East Cowton for only 132. Following an uncertain start to their reply East Cowton recovered through Raw (21) and Tucker (36) before Whitfield, batting at number ten, top scored with 44. Baxter bowled well for Middleton Tyas taking six for 61 and Wilkinson had figures of three for 38.

Batting first Middleton Tyas ended with 209 for three on the board. Most of the runs came from Wilkinson with 64, Whiter, who ended unbeaten on 61 and Ashwell (41).

After making a useful 152 for five Eryholme went down by six wickets to Spennithorne and Harmby. Thornton (49) and White (30) led the Eryholme innings with Walker the pick of the visiting attack taking two of the five wickets to fall for 31 runs.

Responding Spennithorne were indebted to Fallow for his opening contribution of 43 and Greaves (36no) and Walker (37). Walker was the most successful bowler for Eryholme taking three for 39.

Trimdon CCA won by eight wickets at home to Heighington after restricting the visitors to just 72 all out. Carter with five for 23 and Coughtrey three for 31 were the main wicket takers, but Lee, introduced as first change, also picked up two wickets at a cost of just 15 runs.

Responding Trimdon CCA had no difficulty reaching their target as Gofton opened the innings scoring 42 and just two wickets were conceded.

In Division C Barningham defeated Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill by six wickets. Moore with four for 33 and Banks, whose three wickets were taken for just 32 runs, restricted Trimdon to 93 before Barningham went on to win as Foster scored 32 and Moore 22.

Barton realised almost 200 runs in their game with Cockerton who were all out for 136. Kelly (63) and Kearney (32) led Barton to 195 with Smee taking three for 54 in the Cockerton attack. When Hull returned three for 24 Cockerton fell well short of the target.

So too did Haughton in their game with Brompton-on-Swale. Batting first Brompton posted 175 for six which included a top scoring 34 by Hall, while for Haughton, Dobinson took three for 37. Responding Haughton ended with 149 for nine which included 62 not out by Burgess. Warbell claimed five wickets for 42 runs and Felstead four for 61 in the Brompton attack.

Lands overtook the Raby Castle total of 152 for six with eight of their wickets remaining as Howe scored 82 and Tookey 52. Stephenson remained unbeaten on 61 for Raby Castle when four of the six wickets to fall were taken by Howe at a cost of 53 runs.

In the remaining match Aldbrough St John scored 121 for eight defeating Trimdon CCA who were all out for 120.