Heighington maintained their slender lead at the top of Divison A with a nine wicket victory at Raby Castle. The home side were restricted to a 109-7 which included 35 by Poole and 39 from West while in the Heighington attack, Waite had figures of 3-16 and Overfield 3-49.

Replying, Heighington quickly secured the necessary runs as opener Riley carried his bat for 70 out of a total of 110-1.

Rockliffe Park stay second after their game at Ingleton was called off when the home side conceded the fixture. Rockliffe Park were awarded three points.

Barningham travelled to Barton and it was the home side who won following a high scoring game. Batting first the visitors posted 189-7 of which Newton contributed 45, Mullins 38 and Walker 60.

Bell claimed three of the wickets for 55 runs and Franklin also collected three victims conceding 84 runs.

Responding Barton won losing just seven wickets and they were indebted to Miller, who went in at number three and was still there at the end undefeated with 72. Mossford was the most productive bowler in the Barningham attack returning figures of 3-56 and French took 2-39.

After totalling 210-8, Middleton-St-George dismissed Eryholme for just 93.

John Bainbridge was the hero of the home side's innings as he struck no fewer than eight sixes and nine boundaries in 120. Amjit Hussein had four sixes and three boundaries in 43 and the total of 210-8 was accumulated from all the 35 overs. Nigel Hollis claimed three of the eight wickets at a cost of 44 runs in 11 overs, four of which were maidens.

When Eryholme went into bat, their winnings lasted 30.2 overs before ending on 93 as Dave McKenna took four wickets for 32 runs in 13 overs.

Spennymoor managed just 46 all out in their home fixture with Cockerton. Farrow captured four wickets for 11 runs, Rawlings had 2-2 and Carroll 2-29.

In the Cockerton innings none did better than Black with 58 and a useful contribution of 30 from Farrow enabled a total of 189-8 to be realised with Taylor taking 4-47 and Rowell 2-36 for Spennymoor.

The game between Aldbrough St John and Witton le Wear was also cancelled when Witton le Wear conceded.

In Division B, Haughton already established as champions, lost for only the second time when they went down to second from top Cliffe.

Cliffe managed just 127-7 which included 38 by Bowes and 32 not out from Braithwaite. Doherty had a good day with the ball for Haughton claiming four wickets for 34 runs and Wilkinson returned 2-14.

When they went into bat Haughton were all out for just 97 as Adamson claimed 3-36 and Carrick 3-41. Edwards scored almost half the home side's total, ending on 45.

Lambs are in third position despite losing by six wickets to bottom of the table King James.

The visitors struggled to 102-7 with Oughton capturing four wickets for 32 runs for King James who went on to win losing just four wickets. Davidson gave the innings a good start with 28 and there was a useful 22 from Williams.

Trimdon CCA totalled only 37 from 20.1 overs in losing by nine wickets to Catterick Village.

Galley had figures of 6-12 from 10 overs and Swainston 4-23 from the 10.1 overs he sent down. Catterick Village batted 17 overs scoring the necessary 38 runs with the loss of one wicket as Carter carried his bat for 20.

Heighington managed 120 all out but still lost by seven wickets to Brompton on Swale whose match winner on the bat was Raw. He batted throughout the innings and was still there at the end with 68 not out.

Raw also starred with the ball when Heighington batted first he took five wickets for only 43 runs and Wardell had 4-23 restricting Heighington to a manageable target. Sowerby with 22 runs was the top scorer for Heighington whose innings included no fewer than 30 extras.

Middleton Tyas won by 18 runs when they visited East Cowton. The Middleton Innings featured an unbeaten half century by Williams, 40 from Hodgson and 34 from Wilkinson as a total of 175-5 was posted.

Four of the wickets were taken by Raw for 90 runs and Whitfield who shared the attack throughout with Raw, took the other wicket. When they replied, East Cowton were in with a chance when Whelpton was at the wicket but when he was dismissed for 58 the innings ended on 157-9 which also included the useful 28 from Smith.

Wilkinson was 3-48 and Baxter (2-66) shared five wickets for Middleton Tyas.

There was no play in the game between Middleton-in-Teesdale and Dales because the ground was unfit.

* The Darlington and District League Cec Leece League Club Knockout Cup Final takes place on Sunday, September 8 between Barton and Middleton St George at Rockcliffe Park CC (2.30pm).

Tomorrow in Division A first position versus second position, Heighington and Rockcliffe Park play each other with the A Division championship at stake.

* The League's annual meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19. Notification of nominations, new or changes to rule proposals or applications for membership, should be sent to Hon General Secretary

Mr P S Jackson, 14 Sudburn Avenue, Staindrop, Darlington, Co Durham before Monday, October 14.