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RICHMONDSHIRE overcame a bruising battle with newly revitalised Great Ayton to stay as championship leaders, but Barnard Castle are again in hot pursuit after cutting their advantage from 16 to four points.

Barney’s defeat of bottom club Seaton Carew saw them pick up extra bonus points for taking the gamble of batting first, and they even made the decision to declare after Aamer Sajjad completed his second century of the season. His unbeaten 107 from 111 balls, which included seven fours and four sixes, took his team to 226-3 from 47 overs with Josh Mason (65) and Richard Borrowdale (41 from 27 balls) playing important roles too.

Then skipper James Finch (6-21) and Simon Tennant (3-7) got to work to dismiss their struggling visitors for just 91 after a disastrous collapse following a second wicket partnership worth 46. Matty Skirving (36 from 73 balls with six boundaries) and Paul Braithwaite (21 from 51 balls including three fours) took the Seaton score to 69 when the second wicket fell only to see the next eight batsmen manage just 22 more runs between them.

Richmond had to fight like tigers to stop Great Ayton winning a third successive game, but the drawn finish they enjoyed has turned around the Villagers’ season in just two weekends. After struggling close to the relegation zone in the first half of their campaign they have now moved into mid-table, sixth in a group of teams who by continuing their new found form will produce more surprise results.

Two superb centuries were the highlights of a match in which close-on 500 runs were scored with Ayton batting first to reach an impressive 248-8. Skipper Chris Batchelor made a superb 125 before going for one big hit too many and being stumped. Lewis Harper (33) and Mike Croft (23 not out) also looked sharp.

Richmond got to within 16 runs of victory after a first century of the season by Gary Pratt, but after he was out they lost wickets more quickly and a win could have gone in either direction. With the Dalesmen finishing on 231-8 there was a certain amount of relief by most players to have shared draw points.

History was made at Marton where the first ever female to play in the premier division helped Norton to a fourth win of the season. Fifteen-year-old Helen Fenby took two wickets for 40 runs with her leg spin – one bowled and the other a stumping – in a spell of 14 overs which delighted her captain Matt Thomas who went on to produce his best score of the season, an excellent 90 runs from 110 balls with 15 boundaries.

Marton were out for 144 with Peter Armstrong (4-29) and Andy Parr (3-39) completing a successful trio of wicket takers. The hosts also featured a father and son duo, Graham and Gareth Shaw, who were the highest scorers. Son Gareth got 32 and his dad was unbeaten on 25.

Normanby Hall, like Redcar whom they faced, are struggling in the bottom four, and the two sides had to settle for a draw when rain wiped out the last six overs. They were on 133-4 chasing 175-8 compiled by the Seasiders but had just lost their top scorers, Shahid Khan (56) and James Clarkson (44), when it was abandoned. Redcar had Sam Berry (35 and 3-28) in good form while Normanby’s best bowling came from Leigh Beaumont (4-59) and Dale Marshall (3-47).

Darlington’s innings was reduced to 37 overs against Hartlepool because of the rain and it left them too much to do. They finished on 129-8 with 44 from Liam Coates and Matty Brown on 24 not out in reply to 192 from Pool. Jonathan Rickard (74) and John Watson (61) gave Pool a great start but Doug Mulholland and Brown, who took five wickets apiece, dug deep.

Stokesley have lost their championship sparkle with two successive defeats following an unbeaten run of 15 games. Marske who, like Saturday’s rivals, are still in the race, had lost their previous two matches but you wouldn’t have known watching their spirited display at the SCG. With the rain clouds threatening they chased down 177 to win by four wickets. Stokesley enjoyed the sunshine but fell short on 176-9 with only Jack Craig (50) relishing the conditions. Brett Roberts (5-39 from 17 overs) continued to show his star quality along with Gary Lynch (47) and Ullrich Boshoff (39 not out).

The clash at Acklam Park was abandoned with seven overs left and Guisborough on 179-4 in reply to Middlesbrough’s 217-8. Paul Johnston (74) for Boro and the visitors’ Karl Turner (78 not out) made it a batter’s day.