THE title race is set to become a nine-week thriller with any of six clubs in the frame.

Middlesbrough’s defeat, only the second this season, opened up the way for second-placed Guisborough to move within seven points of the top.

But third-placed Stokesley’s seventh victory and a whirlwind triumph for Marton suggests they could also be serious challengers.

Richmondshire and Darlington cannot be ignored, as they are only a couple of wins behind the leaders.

Boro feared the worst at Marske, currently a bowlers’ graveyard, even though they posted 257-4, with Alex Roberts (86), Paul Johnston (67) and Adil Ditta (47) shining.

Roberts hit nine fours and a six in his 109-ball innings, while 15 boundaries flowed from the bats of the other two.

But Simon Guy smashed a brilliant 97, with 12 fours and a six, from just 86 balls, with former Boro batsman Colin Haslett making a 60-ball half-century and Gary Lynch taking 44 from 43 to confirm Boro’s defeat.

Guisborough saw Boro’s 19- point lead melt away when they defeated Great Ayton by 62 runs, with Paul Goodchild (6-72 from 18 overs) on top form. Richard Dunn hit 96 and Darren Hickey 88 as the Priory club produced a 50-over score of 282-6.

But Ayton remained competitive, with Naseer Khan hitting 60 and Carl McGregor on 57 before they slumped to 220 all out, beaten by 62 runs.

Stokesley seemingly can’t do anything wrong and beat Bishop Auckland by 15 runs, James Beaumont taking 4-69 from 22 overs and Josh Linton 4-29 from 11. Beaumont (60) and Will Brown (66no) shared 82 runs before settling for 185-6.

Marton, keen to retain the championship crown, are the form team and scored 159-1 in 22 overs (132 balls) to beat Normanby Hall.

The batsmen in a hurry were Jonny Spillane (86no) and professional Upul Indrasiri (63no) who hit 27 boundaries between them.

Matthew Brown (4-47) and Ben Hutchinson (3-34) made short work of Hall for 158.

Richmondshire were the only ones in the top six to struggle, but were pitched against a Thornaby side fighting to avoid relegation.

It was honours even, although Thornaby’s last two batsmen had to hold out for three overs to earn a high-points scoring draw.

James Clarkson hit an unbeaten 108 in 143 balls with 17 fours as the Dalesmen totalled 216-8.

Thornaby replied with a nailbiting 211-9, six short of only a second victory of the season.

Billingham dropped into second bottom slot after losing by seven wickets to Darlington.

Home pro Tariq Aziz was unbeaten on 97 and it could have been a century if Doug Mulholland, who earlier took 7-75, hadn’t inadvertently hit the winning boundary from the only ball he received.

Two superb centuries were the highlights of Northallerton’s game with Hartlepool.

Teddy Parida (124 no from 138 balls with 26 fours) was overtaken by Saman Jayantha, who made 139 from 133 balls for Pool, taking full advantage of being dropped on 22.

Jon Barnes (6-62) included three wickets in his last over as Pool settled for 221-9, not enough to prevent a Northalleton win by six wickets.