Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB - Premier League.

Richmondshire started the season well in the defence of their Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League title. They racked up 256-6 at newly promoted Normanby Hall, as skipper Gary Pratt scored 80 from 121 balls, which included 10 fours. Matthew Cowling added 81 not out from 75 balls, which had 10 fours and a six, as they both put on 115 runs for the fourth wicket.

Normanby opening bat Joe Gaudie made 35 and Martin Brown 31, but they had no answer to Steven Reeves bowling, as he claimed an excellent 6-27, to bowl the home side out for just 117 and win his team the match by 139 runs.

Marton who chased the Dalesmen right down to the wire last season, also had a comfortable win at home Stokesley. Asked to bat first, the home side made 210-6, with 15 year old Tom Miller scoring a maiden half century (54no), from 72 balls, which included five fours and a six. Opener Lee Hodgson made 33 and Michael Lawrenson another 15 year old product from their youth policy, made a vital 31 not out, despite Andrew Weighell claiming 4-49 with the ball.

In reply, Stokesley started well with Andrew Weighell scoring 39 and Harry Harding 23, as they put on 68 runs for the opening partnership. However, skipper Alex Wardell claimed 4-37 and Lee Hodgson with the ball took 4-15, as the visitors crumbled to 107 all out.

Barnard Castle travelled to the other newly promoted team, Saltburn and lost by 50 runs. The Seasiders were asked to bat first and made a healthy 219 all out, thanks mainly to skipper Ben Ainsley who made 72 from 103 balls, which included nine fours and a six, despite Karl Carver claiming an excellent 5-56.

The home side struck early and had Barney at 27-3, as Liam Crooks (3-43) and Jamie Sill (3-35) bowled well. Skipper James Quinn steadied the ship with 45 and then Carver with the bat made a decent 50, but Alex Smith claimed 3-60 as the tide turned the way of the home side, as the visitors were all out for 169 runs, to win the match by 50 runs.

Hartlepool began their season with a home game against Middlesbrough at Park Drive, and duly won the toss and inserted the visitors. Skipper Matthew Bell made 31 and Rhys Ditta scored 50 not out from 105 balls in holding the innings together and they eventually made 173 all out. On the bowling front, James Lowe claimed 4-27 and Paul Braithwaite 4-33.

In reply, Pools started poorly and although James Lowe made 32 and George Relton 26, they were bowled out for just 116 to lose by 57 runs. Toby Bullock was the chief culprit as he took an excellent 5-16, while Harry Williams claimed 3-36, to conclude an impressive bowling performance.

Marske entertained Billingham Synthonia at Windy Hill Lane, and asked the visitors to bat first. They made just 137 all out, mainly thanks to Elliott Holmes who dug in for 69 runs from 130 balls. Sam Berry was the pick of the bowling, taking 4-44 and John Mains claiming 3-18.

Synners then had the Seasiders on the rack, and at one stage they were 38-6, as Tom Wing took an excellent 5-56 and Thomas Harper claimed 3-48. However, Johnathon Pickard then scored 37 from 23 balls and Harry Pierson added 23, but they ended up on 134 all out, to lose the game by just three runs.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One.

Darlington travelled to Middlesbrough and had a comfortable seven wicket win. Boro made just 110 runs and they were on 61-9, until skipper Danny Evans batting at number eleven, made 28 not out from 38 balls with a last wicket partnership of 49 runs, with David Armitage (21).

The ever reliable Jonathan Barnes claimed 4-16, from his 15 overs and there were three wickets apiece for Oliver King and Peter Greenwell. Opener James Sutton then steered his team to victory with an unbeaten 50 from 86 balls, and Greenwell with the bat added 44, finishing on 113-3 to claim the points.

Durham and North East Cricket League.

Frank Lees Cup – Group B.

Mainsforth travelled to Durham City and the visitors won the toss and decided to field first. Opener Dom Scott made 31 and put on 41 runs for the first wicket with Cameron Fyfe (11). However, it went downhill after that and although Adam May scored 20 and Piers Davison 21, they ended up 120 all out, with John Cavanagh and Tom Orton claiming three wickets apiece.

Chris Coatsworth (16) and Ryan Nicholson (12), put on 31 for the first wicket, but it was Kerry Dixon who made 51 not out from 94 balls that saw them home in a tricky finish. Adam May with 5-24 and Nick Howe 3-14, gave City a chance, but the visitors scraped over the line on 121-9 to win by one wicket.

Hunwick entertained Brandon and on winning the toss, asked the visitors to bat first. Gordon Muchall was in fine form as he made an excellent 95 from 103 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes, in a total of 178 all out, while Arron Proud and Jack Mensforth helped themselves to three wickets apiece.

The home side then had Arron Proud to thank for nearly getting them home for the win, scoring a brilliant 91 from 73 balls, which included nine fours and six sixes. However, they came up five runs short on 173 all out, as Jordan Grosert claimed 4-27 and Gordon Muchall 3-28, to win their side the match.

Peterlee entertained Tudhoe and asked the visitors to bat first on winning the toss. Although opener William Jewitt made 28, it was Daniel Thexton with a majestic century (105no), to claim the man of the match award. He hit seven fours and four sixes off just 96 balls, despite Kieran Buck claiming 3-41 and Joseph Spalding 4-27 in a good score of 189-9.

The home side never got going as Gavin Paton claimed an excellent 5-12, with Stephen Brown and Thexton with the ball, claiming two wickets each, in a final total of 93 all out.

Easington travelled to Littletown to play at their Cross Street Ground and were asked to bat first. Both openers were out for nought and they managed to get up to 91 all out, thanks to Omar Shahid (24) and Ian Rickaby (26), with Richard Eve (4-20) and David Craig (4-40), in splendid form with the ball.

Littletown then made light work of the runs required, as opener Matt Dench hit 43 not out, which included nine fours to see his side home to victory on 95-2 from just 14.4 overs.

Evenwood entertained Murton at the Welfare Ground, won the toss and decided to bat first clocking up 184-5. Thomas Teesdale Jnr scored 34 and fellow opener Luke Bannister 46, to set them on their way, whilst Josh Greenfield with 3-42 took the bowling honours.

Murton then batted and were well short of their target and finished on 107 all out. Gavin Milne with 27 and Richard Lowes with 41 not out, were not enough, as man of the match Thomas Teesdale Jnr claimed 4-8 with the ball, backed up by Regan Maughan who took 3-26 to win the game for their side by 77 runs.