Phil Garbutt and Richard Howell bowled Rockliffe Park into a winning position on the opening day of the season.

Garbutt claimed five wickets for 15 runs in 11.2 overs, six of which were maidens, while Howell returned five for 48 from the 11 overs he sent down.

Heighington were back in the pavilion following just 22.2 overs with only 65 runs on the board and Rockliffe Park overtook the modest target in 19 overs conceding four wickets.

Runs were more plentiful when Middleton St George entertained Barningham. P Rodgers was only nine runs short of a century and S Rogers contributed 64 to the Middleton St George total of 204 for five. Responding Barningham ended on 137 for seven which included 40 by Meer and 39 from French. Both McKenna and Binks claimed two wickets each in the Middleton attack.

After restricting Cockerton to 138 for eight, Cliffe were 90 for two when rain caused an abandonment. Lease (41) and Farrow (30) were the main contributors to the Cockerton innings and for Cliffe, Carrick, introduced as third change bowler, captured four wickets for 35 runs.

Rogerson was in good form with the bat for Cliffe and after opening the innings he was undefeated on 54 when the weather intervened.

Raby Castle went down by ten wickets to Haughton playing their first game in Division A after winning promotion last season. Wilkinson picked up five wickets at a cost of 26 runs restricting Raby Castle to 77 for eight and replying Haughton romped home when Armstrong carried his bat for 39 and Spark ended unbeaten on 37.

Crisp (40), Penfold (33) and Nelson with an unbeaten 52 steered Witton-le-Wear to an eight wickets victory at home to Aldbrough St John.

The feature of the Aldbrough innings was an unbeaten 95 by opener Jones out of a total of 137 for seven. No fewer than six of the wickets were taken by Nelson at a cost of just 22 runs.

Barton enjoyed a 69 runs victory at Ingleton. Lockey, Miller, Murray and P Frankland all passed 20 but the top scorer for Barton was J Frankland with 33 as a total of 171 for eight was realised. Wood was the most productive bowler in the Ingleton attack returning figures of three for 33.

Replying Ingleton lost early wickets, but Stuart Dawson stood firm before being caught after making 43 of his side's total of 102 all out. P Frankland captured the first two wickets, but it was Bell with six for 29 who was the match winner with the ball for Barton.

In Division B Spennithorne and Harmby started with an eight wickets victory visiting Trimdon Community College.

The home side managed only 74 all out in 25 overs as Walker claimed three for 17 and Fowler captured five wickets for a meager three runs.

In response the visitors lost two wickets and reached their target from 14.5 overs as opener Farrow carried his bat for 61 which included two sixes and eight boundaries.

Rockliffe Park built the huge total of 261 in their home game with Heighington. James Edwards stroked no fewer than two sixes and 16 boundaries making 94, Mark Swanwick had three sixes and six fours in 64 and Kevin Allenby added 32 with five boundaries before he was run out.

Jameson took four for 58 in nine overs and Robinson had figures of three for 30 from six overs for Heighington who in reply were all out after 21.2 overs with just 56 runs on the board. James Edwards completed a magnificent all round performance by taking five wickets for 21 runs in nine overs and Rockliffe Park won by 205 runs.

Middleton Tyas were in a good position against Dales when the rain arrived. After compiling 193 for eight which included 30 by Wiper and 39 from Wilkinson, they had Dales on the back foot as Wilkinson returned four for four and Baxter two for 11. Simpson had figures of four for 84 and Hird three for 29 in Dales' attack.

Middleton-in-Teesdale had 19 runs to spare in their home fixture with Lands who were pegged to 94 for nine mainly by the bowling of D Watson (5-49).

Earlier N Watson top scored with 34 as Middleton-in-Teesdale made their way to 113 for five as Galston returned the best figures in Lands' attack with three for 50.

Eryholme enjoyed a nine wickets victory against East Cowton. Faced with a target of 98, they were indebted to Chisman who ended unbeaten on 42 while opener Warne carried his bat for 23.

When East Cowton made first use of the wicket and were dismissed for fewer than 100 runs they found Craggs (3-26) and Walker (5-16) in top form and only Harland (30) and Whelton (24) offered the bowlers strong opposition.

Opening batsman Woodcock contributed 22 before he became one of Cragg's three victims.