Billingham Synthonia are back on top following victory over Seaton Carew when the game between previous leaders Barnard Castle and Stokesley was abandoned.

It was not the easiest of wins for the Synners, however. Seaton Carew, despite scoring only 95, made their opponents work hard for 20 crucial points.

Dave Alsop struck almost immediately but Neil Hewson held the Billingham innings together and he was still there at the end when success was achieved with four wickets left.

Hewson struck an unbeaten 34, six boundaries from 66 balls, and Synners celebrated their 10th win

Alsop bowled unchanged and in 19 overs, four of them maidens, he claimed five wickets for 34 .

When Seaton Carew batted first they struggled throughout, particularly against Keith Martin who in 23.5 overs, including nine maidens, returned the outstanding figures of 7-44. Martin Cull, who was quickly introduced as first-change, was also economical and his 20 overs cost 34 runs for two wickets.

Barnard Castle's hopes were dashed when they entertained Stokesley. Only 26 overs were possible during which time the visitors made 60 for the loss of three wickets. Opener Jay Stockham was unbeaten on 23 as the three wickets had been shared by brothers David and Michael Stanwix and Dean McGarr.

Great Ayton are still third despite losing to fifth-placed Wolviston. Ayton's batting disappointed and a total of 71 which took 38 overs to compile hardly looked defendable. Jeff Bluckert picked up three wickets for just 12 runs in 11 overs, six of which were maidens while George Sayers bowled seven maidens in his 11 overs-spell and returned the outstanding figures of 4-15.

Wolviston made short work of their target, batting using only 18 overs and losing three wickets. Geoff Ward opened the innings and was still there at the end, unbeaten on 43 having found the boundary on seven occasions. He opened the innings with John Woolnough who was bowled after making 27 when victory was almost accomplished.

There was an exciting conclusion to the game between Middlesbrough and Guisborough at Acklam Park. The visitors, whose innings was curtailed by five overs through rain, finished on 110-9, 27 short of a winning margin.

Willie McDougal struck two sixes and three boundaries in 41 as Boro captain Mattie Brown and Paul Cook bowled unchanged. Brown's 23 overs cost 46 runs for three wickets and Cook returned 5-48 from 22 overs. The pair each bowled eight maidens.

Batting first, Middlesbrough posted 136-9 from 50 overs. Liam Plunkett set the scene when he opened the innings and he struck six fours in 51 before becoming one of Dave Pennock's five victims. Pennock, bowling unchanged, claimed five wickets for 54 runs in 25 overs and Steve Donlan had 3-51 as he also bowled a lengthy spell of 18 overs.

The game between Marske and Northallerton was also drawn. Albert Aurelius struck three sixes and three boundaries in 43 and John Gregory had one six and four fours when he contributed 47 to Northallerton's total of 163 made from 49.4 overs.

Peter Briggs, with 3-39 and Philip Goldsborough who took 3-26 were the mainstays of the Marske attack which featured six bowlers.

Marske made an uncertain start before Ashley Pritchard brought mid-innings stability with an unbeaten 51 which included five fours. At the end of the 50 overs, Marske were on 141-8 with three of the wickets having fallen to Dave Burnett for 30 runs in 18 overs, including seven maidens.

Marton produced a total of 181-4 before their game at Yarm had to be alled off. Michael Foster struck 60 before being run out and Dean Kirby made 61 but the only winner was the weather.

The only game which did not make a start was that between Darlington and Hartlepool which was called off when heavy rain descended on Feethams