Ramage and Ditta put Saltburn a step nearer

Richmond went into the game having suffered just one defeat but it was Saltburn who called all the shots. Umar Rashid and John Windows reduced the home side to only 160 and once Phil Ramage and Tony Bell settled in, Saltburn were on their way.

Mark Layfield struck six boundaries making 32 when he opened for Richmond but gradually Rashid's accuracy was rewarded and he claimed four wickets for a mere 29 runs in a hugely economical 19 overs.

Windows, introduced as first change, gave admirable support with 5-51 in 15.2 overs. Ramage and Bell then put Saltburn within sight of victory before the latter was sent back after contributing 54 with a six and five fours. Ramage ended unbeaten on 67 with two sixes and five boundaries and in partnership with Adil Ditta, completed a nine-wicket win.

Northallerton are second after being involved in the only drawn game at Hartlepool. Following the loss of two early wickets, the visitors regrouped through Doug Mulholland whose 74 included three sixes and seven boundaries, and Jonathan Barnes (30).

Andy Carter claimed four of the wickets for 67 runs in 14 overs when the innings ended on 195-9 in 50 overs. Pool's reply was disappointing but a half century from John Cannon, who found the boundary line eight times, earned them eight points.

Barnes was again in outstanding form for Northallerton and in 25 overs, 11 of which were maidens, he conceded just 39 runs taking five wickets.

Darlington had five wickets to spare defeating Bishop Auckland at Kingsway where Stephen Chapman produced an excellent all-round performance. He captured three wickets as Bishops ended with 185-7 on the board which included 63 by Richard Hawthorne.

Chapman then steered Darlington to their third win of the season when he batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 88. His opening partnership with Neil Pratt (31) was crucial to Darlington's success.

Redcar had the better of Marske in the derby. Suleiman Benn (35) and Jason Robinson (34) top-performed as Redcar managed only 173 for seven but in reply, Marske were all out for just 136 of which Ryan Lazenby scored 45. Steve McGarry and Benn were the bowlers who did the damage sharing seven wickets.

Middlesbrough had wickets and time to spare in their victory over Darlington RA at Acklam Park. Faced with the modest target of 151, they coasted home in 28.4 overs with five wickets remaining. Darren Birkett hit seven fours and two sixes in 73 not out made from 86 deliveries and Colin Haslett added a vital 33. Batting first, RA were all out in 45.2 overs for just 150 of which professional Wallace Cornwall scored 52 in 78 balls. Wickets were shared by the six-man Boro attack with Jack Conway's 3-19 from eight overs the best return.

Mohamed Zahid and Neil Pearson were prominent in Normanby Hall's four-wicket win at Blackhall. Zahid finished with seven wickets including that of John Darby whose opening 64 laid the foundations for the Colliers' total of 173-9.

Pearson then dominated the Hall's reply making 81 and Stephen McNicholas added 31 enabling the visitors to secure only their second win of the campaign.

Great Ayton are the only side yet to taste success and they suffered an eight-wicket defeat at home to Guisborough. John Doyle junior (31) top-performed but a total of 113 never looked defendable and Imran Jan followed up his four-wickets haul ending unbeaten on 55.

* Barnard Castle, in Division One, have moved into second position with a four-wicket victory over Stokesley, who they restricted to 166-8. David Weighell struck a couple of sixes and eight boundaries in 64 before Peter Clark laid the foundations for the home side's winning reply.

He stroked eight fours in 62 not out and both Michael Stanwix and Andrew Toulson passed 30. Clive Dowson bowled an economical 15 overs for Stokesley capturing three wickets for 40 runs but Barnard Castle eased their way to victory.

Billingham Synthonia maintained their challenge for honours but had to be content with a draw at Guisborough where they gained 15 points.

Dennis Wing (60) and Simon Driver with 70 scored most of the runs in a total of 202-9 while for Guisborough, 14-year-old Chris Allinson impressed with figures of 5-48 in ten overs. Steve Donlon sent down 24 overs, six of them maidens, for an analysis of 4-82.

Allinson also hit form with the bat striking seven fours in 62 but at stumps, Guisborough were only 177 for eight as Wing and Martin Cull each took three wickets bowling 37 of the 51 overs between them.

Seaton Carew ended with 219-8 but still lost by three wickets to visitors Marton, whose matchwinner was the former Guisborough player Graham Shaw. He recorded 17 fours out of 109 and Chris Lane contributed 32 to the first-wicket partnership which set Marton on the road to a matchwinning 222-7.

Batting first, Seaton were indebted to Mick Burdon (45) and to Mark Windsor (60). They both found the boundary line on seven occasions but their efforts were in vain once Shaw took command of the Marton innings.

Marske had five wickets in hand at home to Wolviston, whose 159 included an unbeaten 42 by Kelly. Rob Walker bowled unchanged returning 4-92 from 25 overs and Gary Lynch had 5-39 in 14.3 overs.

Lynch then spearheaded Marske's reply and victory was achieved in 31 overs. He recorded 14 fours in 83 and Walker added 33 while for Wolviston, Ian Brooksbank had the tidy figures of 3-31 in nine overs.

There was an exciting high-scoring drawn game at Feethams between Darlington and Bedale. Jamie Watson (61) and Danny Morgans (45) added 85 for the first wicket before Simon Gough struck a couple of sixes and six fours in 67 as Darlington reached 229-6.

Mark Ellis bowled unchanged for Bedale returning figures of 6-112 in 25 overs. Replying, Bedale made an indifferent start but Richie Carruthers (43) and Ian Clarkson (30) raised hopes.

Other batsmen made useful contributions but at stumps the outcome was delicately poised with Bedale on 213-8. Richard Stock and Derek Coates shared 28 overs in the home attack and between them claimed seven of the eight wickets.

There was another close result at Normanby Hall who were 22 runs short of victory with two wickets remaining. Charleston's 63 (nine boundaries), enabled Yarm to reach 155 despite Mohamed Shoaib taking 5-39 in 13 overs.

Responding, Normanby Hall were in with a chance but opener Mark Lane was run out after making 44 and at stumps, the home side were 134-8 from 52 overs.

Phil Andrews bowled a lengthy 24 overs for Yarm and returned an economical 3-44.

Thornaby declared following 47 overs with 222-3 on the board against Redcar. Michael Muldowney (51) and Chris Gibbon (69) added 95 for the first wicket and the excellent work was continued by Ian Still, who finished unbeaten on 65 with one six and seven fours.

Redcar never threatened and at close of play were 127-7. Chris Nichols took 3-47 in 16 overs.