FIVE of the seven games failed to start but Marton beat both the elements and Redcar. They celebrated winning their first game since gaining promotion and did so in style sending the hosts back for a mere 52 runs.

Mark Ditchburn, Dan Conway and Rhys Barker did the damage and only two Redcar players managed double figures. Ditchburn delivered nine overs taking three for 16, Conway picked up a couple of wickets while Barker's 5.5-overs spell earned him the creditable figures of four for 22.

Runs flowed a lot more easily when Marton took first innings and they ended with the healthy total of 194 for eight on the board.

They suffered one or two early setbacks before Barker struck six boundaries in 36 and Conway added 31. There were also useful contributions from Martin Hood and Chris Veasey while the most successful bowler in the six-man Redcar attack was Shaz Ahmed with figures of three for 51.

Darlington's game with Saltburn at Feethams was reduced to 46 overs a side, but with five overs remaining, Saltburn's innings was halted by bad light.

Neil Pratt, with a six and three fours in 52 and his opening partner Danny Morgans (41) laid the foundations for the Darlington total of 146 for six.

Navdeep Singh bowled throughout for Saltburn returning the splendid figures of four for 59 from 23 overs. The other 23 overs were shared by Tim Hood and James Beaumont.

Danny Scott was sound when he opened Saltburn's reply and he struck two sixes and three boundaries out of 43 before becoming one of Aran Heal's two successes.

John Windows and Tony Bell then formed an unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket and Saltburn were safely placed at 117 for four from 41 overs. With five overs remaining, the outcome was delicately poised when a halt was called.

Heal's 20 overs produced figures of two for 50 while Paul Raine, the only other bowler for Darlington had seven maidens out of 21 overs returning two for 63.