Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

IN the big game at the top, Hartlepool batted first at Park Drive against the reigning champions Richmondshire, with Harry Crawshaw making 31 against some tight bowling. Neil Whitworth then added a useful 62 runs in a final total of 193 all out, with Ajay Mandal and Craig Marshall claiming three wickets apiece.

Rob Carr then made a breezy 44 in reply, but Ollie Mole pegged them back with 4-42 and then Neil Whitworth claimed 3-13, to bowl the Dalesmen out for 139 runs and win the game by 54 runs. Pools have made a brilliant start to the season and now stretch their lead at the top, to a healthy 35 points.

Middlesbrough recorded their first win of the season, as bowler Harry Williams (5-25) struck early blows, at home to Great Ayton. The visitors crumbled to 27-5 and were eventually all out for 106 runs, with only Doug Mulholland resisting on 28 not out. Boro then had Cole Pearce to thank with 30 not out, for a comfortable seven wicket win on 109-3.

Saltburn faced Barnard Castle at home and the visitors took first knock. They found it tough going throughout against Oliver Stewart (3-46) and made a steady 161-9. In reply, the home side struggled with Robert Dixon (3-31) taking wickets early on, alongside Finn Usher who claimed 4-22, but Salinda Ushan made 58, however, they were all out for 126, with Barney leap-frogging them into third place.

Stokesley had their second win of the season, as they batted first in their home match with Marske. They had to rely on a fifth wicket partnership of 87 runs though, between Tom Preece who scored 50 and skipper Andrew Weighell (55no), after they lost wickets early on, to make a healthy 184 all out, while Sam Berry (3-42) and Adam Hickey (3-47), took the bowling honours.

Joe Marsay opened the bowling and then blew away the Seasiders, with a brilliant display of fast bowling claiming (9-31) from 13 overs, to steer his team to victory by 102 runs, as the visitors were all out for just 82 runs in reply.

Marton won by 53 runs at Billingham Synthonia, as Lee Hodgson made 48 runs in their total of 157 all out, as Thomas Wing claimed an excellent 5-60 and Ben Phillips 3-13. However, the visitors fought back well and bowled the home side out for 104, to claim the points.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

DARLINGTON remain in third place, as they had an easy ten-wicket win at Great Ayton. They bowled the home side out for just 52, as Jonathan Barnes (5-11) and Oliver King (5-39) blew them away. Nathan Wright with 38 not out completed the job, with his team finishing on 56-0.

Darlington RA made just 117 all out, as they travelled to Oxbridge Avenue, the home of league leaders Stockton. Jamie Burke with 4-26 and Joel Thwaites 3-19, did the damage with the ball. In reply, the leaders 121-5, thanks to Abhinav Ramisetty who made 40 not out and Kevin Ward 51, as they slipped to 38-4 at one stage, with Jacob Chew claiming 3-52.