No change at summit as leading pair triumph

After seeing off Blackhall on Saturday, Northallerton had 71 runs to spare in yesterday's game with Middlesbrough.

Gerry Hall (48) led the home side to 182-9 before Jonathan Barnes and Doug Mulholland shared nine wickets when Boro were all out for just 111.

Guisborough also completed an excellent weekend by finishing 78 runs in front of Hartlepool at Fountains Garth after securing a nine-wicket win at Darlington.

Imran Jan (61) again struck form in Guisborough's 174-7 and although there was resistance from John Cannon with 35, Pool's innings only produced 97 as skipper Richard Dunn (5-37) and Jan (3-16) dominated.

Bishop Auckland's title hopes were hit by bottom-of-the-table Blackhall who comfortably held on at 154-8 replying to the home side's formidable total of 236-4. Amul Mazumdar made an attractive 82 but it was Ben Usher who top scored with an undefeated 109.

After losing on Saturday, Saltburn rekindled their championship aspirations defeating neighbours Redcar by four wickets. Amar Waseem made it ten wickets in two days taking 6-39 but despite needing a modest 121, Saltburn conceded six wickets.

Darlington RA were successful on both days. Marske's Rob Nicol claimed six wickets for 60 runs in 25 continuous overs as RA ended on 151 but when he was run out on 38, Marske's hopes faded and they made only 117.

On Saturday, Northallerton had 63 runs to spare at home to Blackhall. Once again, Jonathan Barnes produced an outstanding performance making a top-scoring 59 in the home side's impressive total of 233-7 before conceding only 38 runs in 21.3 overs taking four wickets.

Doug Mulholland also claimed four wickets as Blackhall were all out for 170 despite the efforts of John Darby with 53 and Philip Bell (49).

Guisborough romped to an easy victory over Darlington who were dismissed for just 74 after labouring through 42.5 overs at Feethams.

David Towse conceded just 20 runs in 21.5 overs taking three wickets and Paul Goodchild returned 6-44 from 21 overs before Imran Jan, with two sixes and seven boundaries in an unbeaten 54 led Guisborough to a nine-wickets win.

Saltburn's championship hopes received a big setback when they were all out for just 77 at home to Richmondshire. Shanoka Dissanayake took four wickets for only 17 runs in 14.5 economical overs and Andrew Fleming weighed in with figures of 3-6 from seven overs.

When they batted first, Richmond also found the going difficult and managed only 126-7 in 50 overs. Adam Smith topscored with 37 and in the Saltburn attack, Amar Waseem sent down 20 overs for an analysis of 4-50.

Bishop Auckland, too, stuttered in their challenge for the title when they were held to a draw by Hartlepool at Park Drive despite Amul Mazumdar contributing 105 and Ben Usher 51 to a total of 197-4. Pools were never in trouble as they responded with 130-5.

Thara Gunnaratne was again in outstanding form leading Great Ayton to victory over Normanby Hall. His top-scoring 82 included two sixes and ten fours which, together wih 44 not out from David Grainge, propelled Ayton past the 200 mark.

Mohamed Zahid took four of the five wickets to fall but despite scoring 63 with three sixes and seven boundaries, could not prevent the Hall suffering a 66-runs defeat as Gunnaratne took 6-64 from 23.2 overs.

Middlesbrough's recent good run came to an end when they lost by eight wickets to Darlington RA for whom Wilden Cornwall, Peter Cartwright and Andrew Russell all took three wickets.

Boro managed only 125-9 before Peter Crowther (65 not out) led RA to victory in 36.1 overs.

The local derby between Marske and Redcar ended in a draw, but the home side had only one wicket remaining and were 33 runs short of a winning margin when time was called.

Tim Hood's unbeaten 108 and a half century by Andy Hassack enabled Redcar to post 215-5 but despite 56 from in-form Rob Nicol and 47 from Karl Bramwell, Marske managed only 183-9.

The weather was kind to Division One promotion candidates Billingham Synthonia and Barnard Castle and the pair took advantage of rivals Marton and Seaton Carew having their games washed out.

Leaders Synners strengthened their grip with victory at Wolviston who managed to prepare their game for a late start.

Following an hour's delay Synners limped on an unhelpful wicket through 41 overs making only 120-9 as George Sayers took 4-50 and John Adamson, making a rare appearance, returned 4-35 in 14 overs. Jimmy Manners valiantly strove against the pair making a top-scoring 35.

When Wolviston replied, they too found it difficult and were all out in 38 overs for just 72. Martin Cull was again in splendid form and in an outstanding 19.3 overs spell, including 10 maidens, he conceded a mere 20 runs taking six wickets. John Steel gave admirable support with 4-29 from 15 overs.

Barnard Castle hosted Darlington and won by six wickets to move into joint third position.

James Stock (35) and Peter Bentley (48) both struck five boundaries in the visitors' total of 170-9 which came from 48.1 overs. Richard Eastwood bowled a lengthy 17 overs in the home attack capturing three wickets for 62 runs.

When they replied, Barnard Castle lost their openers for a combined total of only 19 runs but were never in danger as Michael Stanwix and Andrew Toulson put together a third-wicket partnership which took their side to within sight of victory.

Stanwix ended unbeaten on 59 with two sixes and seven boundaries while Toulson struck nine fours out of 49.

The only other game to be played was at Redcar who, despite making a near 200 total, went down by seven wickets to Yarm.

Matthew Stokeld had a couple of sixes and ten fours in 87 and Martin Reeves added 34 to the Seasiders' total of 192 compiled from 49.2 overs.

Phil Andrews bowled unchanged for 25 overs returning 6-66 and Bilal Mustafa had 3-43 from 10.2 overs.

Chris Wilson and Chris Mosley added 143 for Yarm's second wicket before the latter was sent back for 69 which included nine fours. Wilson, who opened the innings, remained undefeated on 80 with six fours.

No play was possible in the other four fixtures.