IN the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, leaders Richmondshire took another step towards claiming the title, as they beat Saltburn by six wickets.

The visitors made a good start, as openers Ben Ainsley (84) and Ryan Gibson (39) put on 107 runs for the first wicket, in a total of 201 all out, with Josh Dowson claiming 3-32 with the ball.

The Dalesmen then made a good start, as skipper Rob Carr scored 68 and Tom Dowson 33, as they put on 70 runs for the first wicket. Gary Pratt then made a cautious 45 not out, despite Jacob Midgley taking 3-33 with the ball, to steer his side to a big victory in the title race, finishing on 207-4.

Chasing Barnard Castle in second place, were left frustrated as they had 56 overs to bowl out Normanby Hall at Cricket Lane, but just couldn’t get the last wicket. Earlier, James Clarkson hit 42, skipper James Quinn 63 and Samarth Seth 48, as they finished on 270-5 declared, with Anwaar Hafeez claimed 3-81.

The home side then made a good start, with opener Waleed Rehman scoring 61 and Hafeez with the bat added 62, as they put on 78 runs for the second wicket and they ended up on 230-9, despite the best efforts of Karl Carver who claimed 4-51 with the ball alongside Ritchie Watson with 3-76.

Hartlepool remain third, after they decided to bat first at home to Middlesbrough. They had Paul Braithwaite to thank, as he made 84 runs in a final total of 190-9. James Lowe was in good form with the ball, claiming an excellent 5-34 from his 15 overs.

Boro then had opener Lowe making runs, as he scored 44, but with Neil Whitworth bagging 6-27 and they were all out for 117, to give Pools a 73 run win.

Marske stay bottom and are in deep trouble now, as they lost at home to in-form Billingham Synthonia. Spinner Jonny Mains claimed an impressive 5-44, but the man of the moment Tayyab Tahir, scored 132 from 105 balls, which included 15 fours and five sixes in his third consecutive and fifth century of the season. Thomas Harper also made runs (51), as they put on 173 runs for the fifth wicket in a final total of 226-8.

The Seasiders then collapsed to 29-7, with Thomas Wing (5-24) and Martin Cull (4-25) claiming early wickets and they were all out for just 51 runs, to lose by a massive 175 runs.

Relegation-threatened Great Ayton had Marton on the ropes at Leven Park, as the visitors were 62-4 at one stage. Liam Coates then scored 57 and Faizan Hussain added 37, as they put on 61 runs for the sixth wicket and they ended up with 177 all out, with Doug Mulholland taking 4-39 and Thomas Leng 3-42.

Ayton then made a cautious start, but youngster Jack Leadbitter claimed three quick wickets (3-37) with the score on 55, to peg them back. However, skipper Jon Grainge made a match winning 71 not out from 134 balls, which included 11 fours, and Lucas Parry added a useful 44, to get them over the line on 181-6 and claim 20 precious survival points, despite the best efforts of Alex Wardell claiming 3-54.

Thornaby seem to be safe now, following a convincing win at home to Stokesley. Visiting opener Jonny Weighell made 33, as his team struggled with Tonius Simon, who claimed 4-30 and Husnain Bukhari mopped up the tail with 4-28, as the visitors were all out for 138.

John Watson made 40 not out and Bukhari was then in good nick with the bat, scoring 77 from 92 balls and see his side home to victory on 139-2, for an eight wicket victory.

In division one, Stockton only drew at Whitby, which meant putting their promotion celebrations on ice. They scored 243-7, thanks to Abhinav Ramisetty (61), Lewis Beaumont (41) and Joe Hewison (56), as the home side hung on at 183-8, despite Tom Gaffney taking 3-44.

Darlington remain second, after they bowled out Richmondshire for just 109 runs. Oliver King with 3-46 was the pick of the bowling and then Adam Baldwin struck 43 runs, to guide his side to victory on 110-4.