Richmondshire are the new leaders as a second consecutive defeat for Hartlepool dropped them from the top spot they have held for the last two months.

The unexpected loss of form by Pool has seen them concede a lead of 25 points in a week as the Dalesmen stepped up the pressure with two of their most impressive victories.

It's the second time Richmondshire have been in the driving seat - they took over for just five days at the end of May - and they have a three-point advantage.

Saturday's dramatic turnaround in fortunes came as they romped to a ten-wicket victory over Normanby Hall, while unhappy Hartlepool slumped to defeat at home to Billingham Synthonia.

Prolific wicket-taker Shani Dissanayake (5-11) had Hall in a spin as they were sent packing for 76 in 37 overs.

Then Mike Layfield (43no) played his usual impressive captain's role as Richmondshire won without losing a wicket in just 12.5 overs.

In contrast, Pool struggled to 145-8, with Billingham's Stuart Lobb (3-44) and Martin Cull (3-48) right on the spot in the 33 overs they shared.

Marc Symington, Pool's top scorer, faced 94 balls for an unbeaten 32.

Billingham lost their first four wickets for 30 runs before Keith Hewson (56) and Mark Davies (38) produced a stand of 95 which saw them win by three wickets with overs to spare.

Third-placed Marton remain 17 points behind the Dalesmen. They beat Great Ayton to puncture the hopes of the villagers making a late assault on the championship.

A first century for his new club by Neil Russell left Marton on top with 221-6 before Upul Indrasiri (4-46) and Lee Hodgson (3-23) left Ayton stranded on 165 and beaten by 56 runs. Russell's brilliant unbeaten 115 came in a stand of 127 with Matty Brown (59).

Second successive victories for Stokesley and Middlesbrough further eased their worries of being pulled towards the relegation places, especially as Bishop Auckland won the bottom-of-the-table clash with Marske, who haven't had a victory in 15 games.

Bishops, with skipper Phil Holdsworth (84) getting them over the line with just eight balls to spare, were set 178 after Jordan Carroll hit a half-century for the Seasiders.

Bishops remain bottom by a point, but they reduced the gap they'll need to overcome if they are to avoid the axe in the final eight games.

They're now 26 points from safety, with under-strength Northallerton back in trouble, third from bottom, after taking just three points from their last two games.

Stokesley were their latest conquerors as Andrew Weighell (80no) reached the milestone of 5,000 career league runs, including 500 this season, with Jonny Weighell (60no) sharing in a ten-wicket romp after Clive Dowson (4-72) and James Beaumont (3-26) had put Northallerton in trouble.

Middlesbrough's James Lowe hit his third century of the season to inspire a seven-wicket win at Barnard Castle, for whom Ben Usher (78) and James Finch (53no) shared an unbroken 123-run fourth-wicket stand.

Barney posted 203-3, with Usher facing 95 balls and hitting five fours and three sixes, and Finch reaching the boundary just three times in 98 balls. Lowe's attractive hundred featured stands of 102 and 62 with Dan Hodgson (39) and Adil Ditta (32) respectively.

Guisborough enjoyed their first win in five games as they just got the better of Darlington, the side whose defeat of Hartlepool the previous weekend started the championship upset.

Bangledeshi internationals, Enamul Haque and Rajin Saleh were on opposing sides and both showed their quality.

Saleh hit 47 in an opening stand of 94 with Lee Hutton for the Quakers, while Haque took three wickets and shared in a late winning stand worth 45 runs.