Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: It's been a while in coming but Great Ayton finally clinched their first Premier Division victory on Saturday to raise hopes of avoiding an immediate return to Division One.

But their success at Blackhall has plunged the Colliers deeper into the relegation dogfight and although they are still 17 points clear of Great Ayton, they are uncomfortably close to the bottom.

Ayton have enjoyed considerable success in cup cricket and will hope to build on their first League win which was achieved with some style. Although Blackhall have struggled it was still an achievement to bowl them out for just 57.

The twin attack of Colin Murray, who claimed five for 38 and Milan Gunaratne, with 3-14, caused the problems.

It was the Grainge brothers who starred when Ayton batted first and posted a respectable 170-9.

After the first four batsmen had departed for a combined total of 26 runs, David went on to finish unbeaten on 73 and Jonathan contributed 40 before being run out.

Blackhall, like their opponents, also used just two bowlers in their attack. Richard Watts captured four for 93 and Mahmood Fazel 3-71.

Darlington RA won for only the second time when they overtook the Redcar total of 139 with eight wickets in hand. Martin Ferguson and Paul Freary went cheaply before David Eckels and Gerard Hull formed a match winning unbroken stand for the third wicket.

Eckles, who opened, ended unbeaten on 66 with nine fours and Hull finished undefeated with 44 as the pair added 119 together.

Suliemann Benn top scored with 38 when the Redcar batsmen found Wilden Cornwall and Andy Russell problematic. The former delivered 24 overs, taking four for 52 and Russell sent down 14.5 overs capturing five wickets at an economical 49 runs.

Darlington had four wickets to spare against Northallerton at Feethams. Their man-of-the-hour was Stephen Chapman who struck form with bat and ball.

Despite a half-century by opener Mark Stainsby, the visitors managed only 120 all out as Chapman picked up five for 48. He was well supported in the attack by Neil Pratt whose five wickets were taken for a mere 26 runs.

Chapman steadied the Darlington reply. He opened with Neil Pratt (20) and added 39 to set the scene and victory was achieved despite John Sample returning an impressive analysis of 4-26 in the visitors bowling line-up.

Marske were all out for only 99 and lost by ten runs to visitors Hartlepool. Their downfall was caused by having four batsmen run out.

Top scorer Richie Rennard suffered after leading the reply, scoring 39. Ian Jackson claimed half of the six wickets which fell to bowlers, conceding only 28 runs.

When they made first use of the wicket, Pool found scoring difficult in adverse batting conditions. Ahmed was in splendid form for Marske taking six for 38.

In the three remaining fixtures little play was possible. Just 8.5 overs were bowled at Acklam Park where Middlesbrough were 43 without loss against Bishop Auckland.

Following an hour-and-a-half delay Saltburn went to the wicket at Normanby Hall but after 7.2 overs the rain returned and no further action took place. Saltburn were 20-1 after 25 minutes.

The only game to be cancelled without a ball being bowled was that between Guisborough and Richmondshire at Fountains Garth.

Only three of the scheduled six games in Division One went ahead and Marton lost their unbeaten record when they went down by just five runs at Thornaby.

The game was reduced to 32 overs per side and Thornaby struggled to make three figures from 30.1 overs. Graham Shaw bowled an economical 11 overs taking five for 39 and Dean Kirby returned 4-34 from 11.1 overs.

Dale Metcalfe and Ian McDonald bowled Thornaby to victory. Metcalfe took five for 15 and McDonald ended with 3-28.

Barnard Castle moved into pole position even though they were held to a draw by Normanby Hall. Richie Eastwood (38) and Jonathan Kellett (26 not out) eased them to 150-9 and replying the Hall laboured through 50 overs totalling 85-8.

David Stanwix bowled 21 overs, 12 of which were maidens and conceded only 17 runs for four wickets. Geoff Robinson took four for 49 in 19 overs for Normanby Hall.

Guisborough overtook the formidable Redcar total of 216-5 dec compiled from 49 overs with four wickets in hand.

Richie Hornbrook had one six and five fours in 56 and Anthony Parsons ended unbeaten on 73 with one six and nine boundaries as the visitors innings lasted just 38.1 overs.

Batting first, Redcar were indebted to several players particularly Andy Weatherell and Jason Boardman who both contributed half-centuries. Lee Powell added 49 and Graham Bowen 31 to what appeared to be a defendable total bofore the Guisborough batsmen rose to the occasion.