Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Guisborough strengthened their position at the top of the table, defeating Northallerton with ease while closest challengers Saltburn were held to a draw by bottom-of-the-table Thornaby.

There were no hiccups though for the Fountains Garth side and after reducing Northallerton to only 77 they coasted to victory losing just three wickets.

David Towse was again in fine form, capturing five wickets for just 27 runs and the other five were shared by Paul Goodchild and Richard Dunn. Despite losing an early wicket, Guisborough had no further problems as Saul Clifford (36) and Paul Goodchild dominated.

Saltburn conceded six points at Thornaby and now trail Guisborough by 12 points. Umer Rashid took two early wickets when Thornaby replied to the visitors' total of 211-7, but Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Mattie Dex were defiant.

Kanitkar struck nine boundaries in 85 and Dex contributed 33 to a productive third-wicket stand which held up Saltburn. Although seven wickets were eventually taken, Thonaby ended with a respectable 153-7 from 51 overs. The Rashid brothers Umer and Mauhtashim shared five wickets.

Umer was also in form with the bat when Saltburn made first use of the wicket. He ended undefeated on 51 and 40 by Adil Ditta enabled a declaration to be made in the 49th over. Ian MacDonald took 3-47 from 15 overs in what was undoubtedly one of Thornaby's better days.

Bishop Auckland are now third following their four-wicket victory against Hartlepool at Park Drive.

Richard Hawthorne was again in splendid form and his undefeated 91 featured in Bishops' reply of 168-6. Kevin Peek, with 3-30 was the most successful bowler in the six-man Pool attack.

Stephen Chapman led the home side's innings, contributing 61 to a total of 167. Stuart Morgan captured five wickets for 49 runs.

Redcar slipped back to fourth position after losing by eight wickets to Darlington. The visitors needed only 45.5 overs to make 175-2 as the runs flowed from Yorkshire's Simon Guy, whose undefeated 56 included nine boundaries, Neil Pratt (47), Mark Stainsby (34) and Mark Jobling, struck 30.

Batting first, Redcar made a useful 173 in 48.3 overs even though Pratt produced the excellent figures of 7-59 from 16.3 overs. Martin Hood with 80 and Neil Russell (39) were both among the runs for Redcar, but even so, their side suffered a damaging fourth defeat of the season as they attempt to end in at least third place.

Middlesbrough again had Brenton Parchment in top form. He batted throughout the innings for an undefeated 112, which included a six and 21 boundaries. Mark Croft gave excellent support with 75 (13 fours) and the pair added 173 for the first wicket.

When Darlington RA batted first at Acklam Park, their total of 211-8 looked defendable. Darren Hickey added 62 and both John Middleton and Gerard Hull made useful contributions.

Marske had four wickets to spare at Blackhall. Needing 200 for victory, they were indebted to Neil Coverdale (69) and more so to Fahim Fazal, who ended undefeated on 86.

John Darby and Steve Sargeant both made half-centuries, leading the Colliers to 199-8.

Normanby Hall replied with 154-7 to the Richmondshire total of 192-7. David Cross (33) and Ahmed, with an undefeated 48, staved off defeat with a mid-innings partnership.

Shanoka Dissanayake captured four of the seven wickets to fall for 76 runs.

Earlier he contributed 34 to the total of 192-7, which also included 45 by Smith and 43 from Andy Mollett. Zahid was the pick of the Hall attack with figures of 4-83.