Guisborough kept their noses in front at the top of the Premier Division following last weekend's double programme of matches.

The leaders had to work hard for a draw at home to Redcar on Saturday, but recovered their form on Sunday when they recorded their highest-ever score against Marske with 270-8.

Opener Graham Shaw hit 90 and was supported by Stephen Pennock (39), Paul Goodchild (28), Saul Clifford (25) and Johnnie May (23), while Marske's Fahim Fazal finished with figures of 5-89.

The home side were then bowled out for 121 in 36.2 overs as David Towse claimed 4-34 and Chris Murray 4-14.

After having the best of a drawn game at Darlington on Saturday, Saltburn kept their title challenge going with a win at home to Middlesbrough.

The visitors were bowled out for 194 despite James Lowe's 92 as skipper Umar Rashid took 5-58 and his brother Mauhtashim Rashid 4-75. The home side then scraped home by two wickets after opener Simon Walker struck 58 and the captain completed a good all-round performance with an unbeaten 32. Martin Ellwood contributed a vital 29.

The highest score of the day was at Brinkburn Road, where Darlington RA were entertaining Hartlepool. The visitors posted a massive 310-5 after openers Shurma (69) and Stephen Chapman (144) put on 160 for the first wicket and Carter followed with 47.

David Eckels took 3-56 before the home side replied with 236-6, opener Paul Freary carrying his bat for 136 with 24 fours.

Bottom side Thornaby suffered a crushing defeat at Northallerton after being skittled out for only 61.

Jonathan Barnes took 4-18, George Kay 3-13 and Richard Chandler 3-24 before the home side knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket. Dougie Mulholland remained unbeaten on 40.

Blackhall enjoyed their fifth win of the season on Sunday when they entertained Richmondshire. The visitors posted 146-8 as Shanoka Dissanayake made 35 and Andrew Fleming an unbeaten 29.

The home side then won by eight wickets as opener John Darby carried his bat for 70 and Tony Booth added 47.

Bishop Auckland batted first at Darlington and posted 272-5 after Hawthorne (36) shared a first-wicket stand of 76 with Keith Stones (75), who then put on 124 for the second wicket with Amul Muzumder (76).

Lawrence finished with 4-73 for Darlington, who then reached 228-6 as professional Simon Guy scored 116, Garry Moody 35 and Mark Stainsby 25 not out. Phil Timmens finished with 3-95.

Redcar shared the points with visitors Normanby Hall after putting 213-4 on the board. Captain Martin Hood (86) and Neil Russell (84) shared in a second-wicket partnership of 179 as visiting professional Mohamed Zahid took 3-57.

The visitors then progressed to 176-5, with Zahid adding 37 and McGarry taking 3-28.

On Saturday, Guisborough struggled to survive at 119-9 after dismissing home side Redcar for 135. Neil Russell made 36 for the home side, while Towse finished with 4-46 and Richard Dunn took 5-63.

Last pair Paul Goodchild (21no) and Graeme Wrightson then stood firm to save the league leaders from defeat as Dulip Samaraweera took four wickets for Redcar.

Saltburn had the better of a draw at Darlington after declaring on 226-6. Opener Tony Bell carried his bat for 111, while Adil Ditta contributed 57 and Kevin Mott finished with 3-77.

Home openers Neil Pratt (39) and Simon Guy (60) then put on 90 for the first wicket, but Darlington had reached only 174-6 at the close.

Lowly Northallerton had a welcome win at Hartlepool after the home side were dismissed for a meagre 96. Jonathan Barnes finished with figures of 5-34 before the visitors won by seven wickets, thanks largely to Doug Mulholland's 42.

Richmondshire won at home to Darlington RA, whose 184-9 included 57 from Chisholm and 34 from Darren Hickey. Clive Layfield (4-65) and Dissanayake (4-76) did most of the damage.

The home side went on to win by seven wickets as opener Mark Layfield carried his bat for 68 and Dissanayake completed a fine all-round performance with 77.

Middlesbrough and visitors Normanby Hall drew a high-scoring game at Acklam Park. The home side posted 272-3 after an excellent opening stand between Brenton Parchment (75) and Mark Croft (77), while the visitors were also given a solid start by openers Sykes (33) and Pearson (55no). They closed on 207-4, Steve McNicholas making the top score of 80.

Bishop Auckland won at home to Marske after making 197 all out. Mazumdar was the top scorer with 60, while Fahim Fazal finished with 4-50.

The visitors were then bowled out for 105 in 27.5 overs as Phil Timmens took 5-56 and Stuart Morgan 5-43.

Thornaby had the best of a drawn game at home to Blackhall after posting 186-8. Kanitkar made the top score of 56 and the visitors then reached 156-8 after captain and opener Imran Jan hit 48.

* The Division One round-up is on page 30