UNDER threat of relegation for much of last season, Normanby Hall and Billingham Synthonia have joined the pace setters for a tilt at the championship by turning the form book upside down.

The Hall, without the influence of their new professional on Saturday, rolled out their second win in four unbeaten games to move into second place behind the highly rated leaders, Marton, but Great Ayton, Hartlepool and Richmondshire, as well as Billingham, are also making the early running and the title race is already set to become the most exciting for years.

In contrast current champions, Middlesbrough, along with Bishop Auckland, are occupying the two relegation places after one of the most uninspiring starts either has experienced.

Boro came within six balls of a second defeat when Billingham had them struggling to survive at Acklam Park on 135-9 after losing two wickets from successive balls, including top scorer James Lowe for 79, in the penultimate over. It was left to David Bruton (18no) to play out those last six vital balls. The Synners, with Craig Symington unbeaten on 82 after a 77- run sixth wicket partnership, had made a challenging 191-5.

Despite losing an hour’s play through rain, Richmondshire took advantage of the creaky batting of Bishop Auckland who they bowled out for just 104 with Shani Dissanayake (3-9 from 13 overs) and Moneeb Iqbal (3-23 from 10.5 overs) proving perfect spin ‘twins’. The Sri Lankan then hit a half century, sharing an unbroken stand of 78 with Mike Layfield (48no) to take Richmondshire to a nine wicket win.

Title favourites, Marton, grabbed their third win in four games by defeating Marske in a game which produced 439 runs. A superb century from Chris Veazey, and 76 from Wally Ghauri, put the leaders in an unassailable position before Ben Hutchinson (4-33) and Lee Hodgson (3-32) bowled out Marske with seven overs to spare.

The in-form Veazey hit ten fours and six sixes in his 101 from 104 balls, sharing a stand of 128 with Ghauri who faced 96 balls and hit nine boundaries.

The final score of 251 was always too much for Marske, despite a half century for Gary Lynch, and they sank from 154-4 to 188 all out.

Normanby Hall worked hard to become one of only two teams unbeaten when they put Stokesley to the sword. Henry Blackett, Brett Roberts and Israr Hussain all hit half centuries after being set 194 to win. Graham Shaw bowled 17 overs for four wickets despite 60 for Stokesley’s Ian Still in a stand of 77 with Chamila Gamage (39).

Great Ayton recovered from the loss of six wickets while still needing 81 runs to win when they took on the old enemy, Guisborough. Chris Batchelor (45), John Grainge (35) and Michael Croft (35) kept their cool as Ayton reached 171 to enjoy a three wicket victory from the last ball of the game. David Grainge took three wickets but Guisborough looked on top of their task as Richard Dunn (41), Graham Murray (33) and Martin Hood (25) all batted well.

Hartlepool were the others to get over the winning line after a tough fight with Darlington (161-7). Liam Coates (66) and James Dobson (33) shared a stand of 88 as they fought back against the threepronged attack of Callum Prosser (3-40), Marc Symington (3-37) and professional, Kasun Bodhisha (2-41). Neil Coverdale (33) gave Pool a solid start before Peter Armstrong (3-38) and Doug Mulholland (3-35) slowed their progress, but 16-year-old Jon Mitchell helped clinch the victory.

More than two hours was lost through rain when Barnard Castle were left just 19 overs to score the impossible – 214 to win against Northallerton. But they made a brave effort, reaching 125-3 to share 24 points equally.