Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Guisborough, the only one of the top five sides to win, are now neck and neck with Northallerton. They made short work of Darlington RA at Fountains Garth, raising hopes of a fourth successive championship.

It was Paul Goodchild who set the scene and when he bowled unchanged for 24 overs, claiming six wickets for only 49 runs, RA could only muster 107 after labouring through 49 overs. Andy Russell's 31 was the best on offer.

Despite losing an early wicket, the lowly target was meat and drink to Guisborough. Imran Jan struck a couple of sixes and seven boundaries in 49 while skipper Richard Dunn finished unbeaten on 37 with six fours.

Honours were even when Richmondshire held Northallerton to a draw. Mark Stainsby and Jonathan Barnes each contributed a half century to the visitors' total of 178-9 with Shanoka Dissanayake and Clive Layfield both taking three wickets. Although Barnes also struck form with the ball, capturing four wickets, Richmond were in with a chance at stumps with 151-7 on top. Clive Layfield top-performed in the innings with 34.

Third-top Bishop Auckland looked well placed at the halfway stage of their game but Great Ayton upset the formbook, winning for only the second time this season. Their matchwinner was Darren Hickey who hit three sixes and ten boundaries in 103 partnering John Doyle (63) in a productive partnership for the third wicket. David Grainge added a useful unbeaten 25 to a five-wicket success.

Amul Mazumdar scored a second consecutive century but still ended on the losing side. His masterly innings of 129 included one six and 11 boundaries which together with 49 from Paul Timmens (two sixes and five fours) propelled Bishops to 231-7 in 50 overs.

Saltburn's game at home to Normanby Hall was abandoned because of rain but they were far from comfortable with only 135-7 on top needing 215. Mohamed Zahid claimed four of the wickets for only 43 runs but had been unable to dismiss Tim Hood who was still there unbeaten on 51.

Steve McNicholas, with 63, was the leading runmaker when the Hall posted 214-5 batting first.

Redcar are still fifth despite losing by 22 runs to Middlesbrough at Acklam Park. Colin Haslett (46) and Brett Roberts with an unbeaten 51 were involved in a productive mid-innings partnership which took Boro to almost 200 for the loss of five wickets.

Mohamed Qureshi, Redcar's new Pakistani professional, impressed scoring 30 and Urwin added 36 but the innings closed on 173 as Roberts, Jack Conway and Brenton Parchment shared the wickets.

Rob Nicol was again in magnificent form for Marske but despite ending unbeaten on 142 could not secure victory for his side as Darlington's Gary Moody also made a century. Nicol struck three sixes and 12 boundaries, Richie Rennard added 42 and Ryan Lazenby 39 to the biggest total of the day, 280-5 compiled from only 50 overs.

All five wickets were taken by Steve Chapman, who bowled unchanged for 25 overs conceding 105 runs before opening Darlington's reply scoring 33. Moody was the mainstay of the innings and he made his first Premier Division century when he took his score to 100, scoring 14 off the last four balls.

Darlington finished on 222-5 which also included 59 by James Alderson who found the boundary on ten occasions. Nicol followed up his performance with the bat, taking four of the five wickets to fall for 32 runs in ten overs.

Blackhall passed the 200 mark but were unable to secure a much needed win against Hartlepool at Park Drive and remain precariously placed second from bottom, now only 11 points ahead of Great Ayton.