Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Bishop Auckland, now one of only two unbeaten sides, moved into second position when they defeated another of the fancied sides Saltburn with consumate ease at Kingsway.
They could hardly have envisaged winning by such a big margin - or that Saltburn would be all out in 29 overs with only 80 runs on the board. But the Seasiders never threatened as Ben Usher claimed six of wickets for a meagre 39 runs in 14 overs.
Phil Timmens took a couple and so too did 15-year-old Matthew Atkinson, who captured his first victim bowling his first ball in the Premier Division.
Runs flowed when Bishops made first use of the wicket. Amul Mazumdar, with five boundaries in 80, and Ben Usher (51) added 105 before Timmens contributed a useful 34 to a total of 216-8 achieved from 50 overs.
Lee Hodgson was the pick of the Saltburn attack returning 4-54 in ten overs.
Hartlepool were another side to win easily when Normanby Hall, who started the day second from top, performed only marginally better at the crease than Saltburn.
They were back in the pavilion for 83 as Ian Jackson (6-41) and Ian Palmer with 4-35 wreaked havoc.
Michael Gough (55) and Richie Evans (30) laid the foundations for Pool's total of 188-7 which included late but important contributions from Jackson and Gary Tebbett. A total of 36 extras also helped their cause.
Marske's season has been inconsistent, but they produced the right result against Middlesbrough.
Their target of 208 looked formidable but Rob Nicol rose to the occasion, hitting 16 boundaries in a polished unbeaten innings of 99.
Ryan Lazenby carried his bat for 43 as the pair put together an unbroken stand for the fourth wicket which swept the Seasiders to victory with more than four overs to spare.
Alex Roberts found the boundary line 11 times when he struck an undefeated 75 and 40 by Darren Birkett, following useful knocks by openers James Beaumont and Mark Croft, enabled Boro to pass the 200 mark for four wickets.
Billingham Synthonia had six batsmen remaining when they defeated Great Ayton. Denis Wing opened and was unbeaten on 52 as victory was achieved with the assistance of Simon Driver (34).
Thara Gunarathne was Ayton's man-of-the-match, taking four for 57 in a lengthy unchanged spell of 22 overs.
Earlier he contributed 61 to the total of 155 for seven wickets.
Keith Martin and Martin Cull shared seven wickets in the Synners' attack, sharing 48 of the 50 overs.
Guisborough remain top despite being held to a draw at Redcar.
Tom Urwin was prominent in the Redcar reply and had made 56 before being run out by which time the home side were on their way to a comfortable 154-5 at stumps.
Simon Pennock (60) and Chris Murray (70) were the main contributors to Guisborough's formidable total of 243-7.
The derby at Brinkburn Road was abandoned with Darlington RA within 17 runs of victory with nine wickets intact.
Ratinder Sodhi almost won the game striking 82 of his 111 not out in boundaries as the innings lasted just 37 overs.
Batting first, Darlington used their 50 overs compiling 171-7 with Stephen Chapman (34) and Liam Brown with 42 the principal scorers.
Jon Barnes had a six and eight fours out of 68 and Mark Stainsby (40) and Richard Bentley (31) added to the Northallerton total of 208-8 at Richmondshire who were 129-7 at close of play.
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