Bishop Auckland powered their way to another emphatic victory as they attempt to return to the Premier Division at the first attempt.

Phil Timmens struck eight sixes and seven boundaries scoring 97 which, together with 46 from Paul Jenkin and 54 by Keith Stones, propelled Bishops to the massive total of 270-7.

But Bedale made a fight of it and there were fewer than five overs remaining when they conceded their last wicket. Stuart Morgan was the matchwinner with the ball taking five wickets for 32 runs in 21 overs, ten of them maidens.

Great Ayton maintained their challenge to Bishops with a seven-wicket win at Stokesley. Despite 47 by Chris Knock with seven fours, Stokesley laboured through 50 overs making 129-8 as Dave Pennock, bowling unchanged for 25 overs, claimed 5-45. Ayton's reply was decisive and victory was achieved in 27 overs as Pearson struck eight boundaries in 45 and Gary Mudd finished undefeated with 30.

Marton dented the chances of Seaton Carew and enhanced their own title prospects with a five-wicket victory over their rivals. Marty Skirving's 44 was the best Seaton could produce in a total of 138 as Dean Kirby and Lane shared seven wickets.

Knight (34) and Charlton, with the game's top score on 45, put together a good partnership for the second wicket which paved the way for Marton's victory.

An unbeaten 95 by Peter Wilson, who recorded 12 boundaries, earned Redcar a seven-wicket success at Yarm where there were only two overs remaining when they claimed victory.

Five players passed the 20 mark which enabled Yarm to total 174-9 from their 50 overs and in the Redcar attack, in which six bowlers were utilised, Martin Reeves, whose 16 overs earned him four wickets for 48 runs, shone.

Darlington lost just a couple of wickets overtaking the Middlesbrough total of 133-9. Lee Hutton (29) and Danny Morgans, whose 61 not out included nine fours, both struck form and when Boro batted first, they were indebted to Lee Roberts for his 50.

Billingham Synthonia had six wickets and more than three overs to spare defeating Marske. Dennis Wing opened with 62 and Philip Bartley added 43 to the Synners' total of 171-4.

After losing early wickets, Marske were rescued by Rob Walker with 36 and Dave Riley (37) and in the Synners' attack, Wing returned 4-47 in 14.2 overs, Dave Fairley took 3-65 from a lengthy 19 overs and Gary Peacock 3-23 in his nine-overs stint.

Steve Donlon sent down 22 overs, eight of them maidens, and captured five for 52 runs which together with a 3-25 return from Ryan Murray restricted Barnard Castle to 116, a target which Guisborough met losing seven wickets.

Richard Dove was the steadying influence in the Guisborough reply with 34 and for Barnard Castle, Mike Stanwix bowled no fewer than 21 overs taking 3-36.