Barnard Castle closed the gap on leaders Billingham Synthonia with a quick-fire victory against Darlington who were back in the pavilion after 25.5 overs with only 49 runs on the board.

The Stanwix brothers did nearly all the damage sharing nine wickets with Michael returning the splendid figures of 5-16 from 12 overs, while David took 4-17 from 12.5 overs.

Barnard Castle lost three wickets reaching their low target but victory was achieved in only 14.5 overs and they are now just eight points adrift of Billingham Synthonia who could only draw at home to Guisborough.

Runs flowed from the bats of the Murray brothers as Guisborough posted a formidable total of 251-2 from just 50 overs. Colin rattled two sixes and 15 boundaries in 148 not out and Graham had five fours in 57 as the pair put together a second-wicket stand of 178.

Dennis Wing and Neil Skerritt scored at the rate of five runs an over but it was an uphill struggle. Wing struck five boundaries in 77 and Skerritt also had five fours in 46 before being run out. Neil Hewson attempted to maintain the momemtum with 38 but when time was up the Synners were only 201-7.

Middlesbrough went down by 22 runs against Marske at Acklam Park, being bowled out for 142 in 39 overs when Colin Haslett carried his bat for 62 with 10 boundaries. Jeff Morrison opened the Marske attack and in 15 overs claimed the creditable figures of 4-66.

Batting first, Marske's matchwinning 164-7 in 50 overs came mainly from Keith Bramwell (32), Ben Walker (41) and Bowmaker (34 not out) while for Boro Janisar Hussain was the most successful of the six bowlers used with figures of 3-36 from 12 overs.

There was an exciting conclusion in the drawn game between Stokesley and Hartlepool. Faced with scoring 201 runs, Stokesley ended on 199-7 when they needed four runs off the final delivery.

David Fall, with seven boundaries in 68 and Michael Whitworth whose quick-fire unbeaten half century came from just 69 deliveries, almost snatched victory for Stokesley.

When Hartlepool made first use of the wicket they started badly but James Wilkinson, with eight fours in 67 not out and Jerry Boyd (36 not out) rescued the innings which eventually produced 200-6 in 50 overs.

Graham Scanlon's 131 propelled Marton to 242-5 before the declaration was applied after just 46.3 overs at home to Seaton Carew.

Scanlon and Dean Kirby (47) added 129 and their performances were in sharp contrast to those of the visitors. Seaton Carew batted through 22 overs in making just 73 as Mark Ditchburn picked up five wickets for 44 runs in 12 overs and Kirby had 3-23 from 11 overs.

Great Ayton had 33 runs in hand of Yarm who were bowled out with just seven balls remaining for 165 despite the efforts of Mike Saunders whose innings of 65 included 12 boundaries. Anthony Doyle and John Doyle senior both took four wickets in for Ayton.

Batting first, the visitors posted 198-6 in 50 overs and 150 of the runs came from two players. Steve Pennock rattled 10 fours in a maiden unbeaten century and John Doyle was another youngster to impress, his half century including nine boundaries. Phil Brown was in good form for Yarm, claiming 5-64 in 17 overs.

The game between Northallerton and Wolviston finished as a draw with the home side hanging on. Their last pair was together as Jimmy Jones, with 5-30, almost earned Wolviston victory after they had totalled 179 all out including a top-scoring 36 by Mark O'Neil. Chris Waymay, for Northallerton, returned 5-42.