Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: The match of the day between leaders Saltburn and second-top Guisborough predictably ended in a draw but there was still an abundance of runs.

The Seasiders set their rivals a target of 251, which appeared well beyond the reach of Guisborough, when they lost early wickets.

Steve Pennock though proved to be the mainstay of the innings. He went in at number five and remained unbeaten with a well-played 77, which included a couple of sixes and 11 boundaries.

Johnny May's useful 29 enabled a total of 200 for seven to be recorded, with four of the wickets falling to Singh at a cost of 68 runs in 25 overs, six of which were maidens.

Saltburn's first three batsmen all made half centuries. Tony Bell equalled Pennock's performance, striking eight boundaries in his 77, Richard Storr added 56 and Adil Ditta 55 with ten fours.

David Towse bowled continuously for 25 overs claiming four wickets for 78 runs as the Saltburn innings realised 250 for six in 50 overs.

Normanby Hall remain third despite being held to a draw by Darlington RA at Brinkburn Road.

Neil Pearson (41), Andy Harrow with 38 and Geoff Robinson (57 not out) provided most of the runs in the Hall total of 180 for five. Three of the wickets were taken by Ashar Zaidi at a cost of 48 runs and the other two were credited to Andrew Russell.

Zaidi then took control of RA's reply. He batted throughout for an undefeated 84 and amazingly was the only home batsman to reach double figures as the innings stuttered to 132 for eight. Mohamed Zahid was again among the wickets with figures of four for 49 and Steve McNicholas gave support, ending with three for 68.

Richmondshire remain bottom but they almost pulled off victory against Hartlepool, who had just eight runs to spare.

Danny Shurmer found the boundary line eight times out of 53, and Richie Evans contributed 46 to the Pool total of 206 for five.

Shanoka Dissanayake bowled unchanged for 25 overs, returning three wickets for 88 runs, before Richmond were all out in 49 overs for 198. Mark Layfield (37) and skipper Andy Mollitt with 48 led the way.

Billingham Synthonia managed only a modest 122 from no fewer than 49 overs before going down to Northallerton.

Chris Harrison and Keith Hewson both scored 32, but throughout, the batsmen were well contained by the three-man visiting attack.

The ever-reliable Jonathan Barnes delivered 24 overs conceding just 42 runs for five wickets. A lengthy 17-overs spell by John Sample was rewarded with figures of 4-47.

Mark Stainsby and Jerry Hall gave the Northallerton reply a good send-off, and although wickets fell after Hall was run out for 45, victory was achieved with six wickets and more than ten overs remaining.

Martin Cull bowled throughout in the Synners' attack capturing three wickets for 44 runs in 19.4 overs, seven of which were maidens.

Almost 500 runs were scored for the loss of just 13 wickets at Great Ayton, who won an excellent game with Marske.

It appeared Marske had done sufficient to at least earn a draw when they plundered 248 runs losing just seven wickets in 50 overs.

Rob Nicol recorded three sixes and tem boundaries in 116 before being run out; Mike Coverdale added 32 and Chris Shepherd 30. Thara Gunnarathne was yet another bowler in the league to send down 25 overs finishing with four for 81.

Great Ayton were positive from the start of their innings despite the openers making just 33 runs between them.

The challenge was taken up by David Grainge and Gunnarathne, who first recovered the situation and then attacked the bowling.

Grainge had a couple of sixes and 13 fours in 79 and Gunnarathne's 75, included four sixes and six boundaries.

Following their dismissals, the momentum was maintained by Anthony Doyle, who contributed a crucial unbeaten 40 with three sixes and four boundaries.

Victory was cemented with just seven balls remaining despite the efforts of spinner Lee Beaumont, whose 20 overs yielded figures of three for 93.

Redcar won for only the second time in 11 attempts when they had 44 runs in hand of Middlesbrough. Martin Hood's 71 was critical in the Redcar total of 157 for seven, with Alex Roberts and Janisar Hussain both taking three wickets.

Boro's reply lacked impetus and closed with only 113 on top as Neil Russell caused problems. His outstanding efforts were rewarded with seven wickets for just 52 runs.

Darlington's last pair were at the wicket against Bishop Auckland at Kingsway.

The target was 211 but only 184 runs were scored, mainly as a result of the efforts of Steve Chapman with 57, Mark Jobling (31) and Whitehead, who also made 31.

Batting first, Bishops posted 210 for four. Andy Bowman hit a century, Ben Usher contributed 48 not out and Amul Mazumdar 40.