Loftus maintained their narrow lead over Hinderwell and Ormesby Hall who share second place, when they defeated Dormans by 35 runs.

Pearson batted throughout the Loftus innings for an unbeaten 70 and he was assisted by his first wicket partner Sanderson (23) and by Dixon (32) who went in at number three. The innings eventually realised a healthy 179 for nine even though Hatfield returned the excellent figure of six for 81 and Dale three for 80 in the Dormans attack.

When they replied the first three Dormans batsmen managed only seven runs between them but Patton, who batted at number four, raised hopes with a good innings of 61. Dale added 36 but the innings eventually realised only 136 all out as Brown took seven for 80 and Whitwell two for 11.

Hinderwell maintained their early season challenge when they sent Paragonians back to the pavilion with only 45 runs on the board. Swain did most of the damage with the excellent figures of six for 23 and Powell also bowled a good end conceding six for his two wickets.

When they batted first, Hinderwell had Spenceley in magnificent form and he contributed an unbeaten 101 to a total of 176 for six declared. Grange was the most successful bowler in the Paragonians' attack, his wickets costing just 14 runs.

Ormesby Hall had to fight hard for a narrow victory at Norton where they had just one wicket left when victory was secured. Needing to score 128 they were indebted to Leech for his 44 and to Smithies (28). Wilkinson almost snatched victory for Norton when his four wickets cost him just 14 runs while Harker and Hirst both took a couple of wickets.

When they batted first, Norton had Pritchard in form with the bat and his 32 enabled the reasonable total of 127 for seven to be put on the board. Hall contributed 22 and for Ormesby Hall, Peacock, McCabe and Cook all captured two wickets.

There was no play between Merlin and Brotton because the ground was unfit following rain.

Moorsholm lead the second division and they recorded their third win in four outings defeating Skelton Castle by 111 runs. The home side made just 50 as Ward took six for 28 in 10.1 overs and Burton had three for 17 from his ten overs which included four maidens.

When they batted first Moorsholm realised 161 for six in 45 overs. Ward who opened the innings, hit a half century and Hooker contributed 62 to the useful total. John Stubbs bowled a good end for Skelton Castle and in 16 overs he conceded only 37 runs taking three wickets. Hogarth reurned two for 45.

Boosebeck defeated Loftus by two wickets at the end of a high scoring game. Gullen (67) and Codling, with 38 not out were prominent for Loftus and Tyreman (24) also made a useful contribution to the total of 186 for five. Three of the wickets were taken by Daynes at a cost of 75 runs and the other two were collected by Oakley for 45 runs.

When they replied, the first three Boosebeck batsmen managed just eight runs between them before Lorraines took total control of the innings. He crashed 151 leading Boosebeck to an exciting two-wicket victory. Shaw, with four for 46, was the most prominent bowler for Loftus while Morrison returned two for 41.

The game between Blacksmiths Arms and Cowpen Bewley was drawn. The visitors ended on 102 for six which included 37 not out by Barlow and 24 from Humphries and four Blacksmiths Arms Nixon took three for 45.

When they batted first, the home side were grateful to a contribution of 29 by Prosser and towards the end of the innings Barker ended unbeaten on 38 out of a total of 138 for eight. Carr, with four for 50 and Humphries (3-38) shared the wickets and one batsman was run out.

Dormanstown went to Ormesby Hall and won by 79 runs reducing the home team to 73 all out. Hatch, with six for 36 and Lloyd (3-12) did nearly all the damage for Dormanstown who, batting first, realised 152 for eight. Lloyd added 31 and Moon 33 while for Ormesby Hall Pelling had three for 34.

Fox top scored with an unbeaten 36 in the Normanby Parklands total of 119 for nine at New Marske. Lightwing and Alderson each took three wickets and when New Marske went in to bat they could only muster 87 as Plunkett took three for five, Maroof two for 18 and McGough two for 28.