Only two games produced a winning result on Saturday and Bedale were the first to finish when they bowled out Redcar in 26.3 overs with only 75 runs on the board. Guy Darwen was their matchwinner with superb figures of 7-41 from 13.3 overs.

The Bedale batsmen also found scoring difficult and they laboured through 38.1 overs making just 112 which in the event was more than sufficient.

Phil Holdsworth held their innings together, contributing 41 and the pick of the Redcar attack was Martin Reeves with figures of 3-21 in 7.1 overs.

Marton were involved in a low scoring game at Guisborough where they won with three wickets intact. Runs were at a premium and 38 overs produced a total of just 91 for the home side as Dan Conway claimed 4-26 from 13 overs and Dean Kirby conceded just 25 runs from a superb 19-over spell, which included 11 maidens. He collected three wickets. It was then the turn of the Marton batsmen to struggleand it took them almost 35 overs before they won but not before they conceded seven wickets. Ryan Murray bowled a good end for Guisborough returning 3-17 in six overs.

The other five games all ended in draws and Bishop Auckland's early-season surge was halted at Seaton Carew. Phil Crowther hit a six and seven fours in 43, Keith Stones carried his bat for 53, and Darren Blenkiron added 31 to the Bishops' total 214-7 which came in 44 overs.

Seaton received 43 overs during which time they accumulated 153 for the loss of four wickets. Dave Gough compiled 59 and Danny Morgan was still there at the end, undefeated on 42. Phil Timmens bowled unchanged in the Bishops attack and in 22 overs had figures of 3-65.

Runs also flowed at Feethams where Darlington averaged five runs an over posting 252-6. Simon Gough stroked 16 boundaries making 112, with his century coming from just 93 balls. Richard Biddle (31) and Gough put on 93 for the second wicket and Colin Biglin contributed 35 before Marske replied with 183-8 from 48 overs.

Six of the eight wickets fell to Derek Coates for 68 runs in 22 overs, including five maidens. Murdoch (57) and Gibbon (33) both produced form for Marske.

Billingham Synthonia were close to victory against Barnard Castle who were 131-8 at stumps. Justin Hesp and Michael Stanwix each hit four boundaries in scores of 38 and 41. The Synners total of 188-8 featured 60 by Dave Fairley with five boundaries and 43 from Simon Driver. Rob Eastwood produced the best bowling analysis of the game with 4-54 from 12 overs.

Great Ayton's Jonathan Grange was in super form, leading his side to an impressive 255-3 at home to Middlesbrough. His unbeaten 120 was the highest score of the day and included two sixes and 17 fours. He shared a second-wicket stand of 108 with Colin Murray (54) and a third-wicket partnership worth 110 with John Doyle junior whose contribution was 47.

Boro, though, had the highest partnership of the match when Richard Borwell, whose 56 included eight fours, and Ross Whatmore, with one six and 10 boundaries in 61, put on 114 for the third wicket. At stumps, the visitors were easy on 179-5.

Clive Dowson took three wickets in his first three overs but failed to earn Stokesley victory over Yarm whose innings was restricted to 47 overs. When time was called, they were 162-6 mainly as a result of the efforts of Andrew Suddes with a half century and John Warburton (31). Dowson eventually finished with figurs of 4-70 in 17 overs. Chris Knock, who had one six and nine fours carrying his bat for 72, Mark Smith (49) and John Borwell (30) were instrumental in Stokesley reaching 209-3.