Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Saltburn won both matches to close in on Guisborough, who were held to a draw on Saturday before convincingly defeating Marske in yesterday's programme.

After struggling to claim a draw at Redcar, Guisborough returned to the seaside and were a great deal more dominate at Marske.

Graham Shaw struck 13 boundaries in 90 taken from just 107 balls adding 104 for the third wicket with Stephen Pennock (39) and Marske faced scoring 271 to win.

They managed just 121 as David Towse claimed 4-34 from 10.2 overs and Chris Murray took four wickets for just 14 runs in the eight overs he delivered.

Simon Walker (58) and Umar Rashid (32 not out) led Saltburn to their second win of the weekend, against Middlesbrough. It took a useful 29 from Martin Ellwood though to secure 20 crucial points as Boro captured eight wickets.

James Lowe was the backbone of the visitors innings, make 92 out of the total of 194 all out.

Keith Stones and Amul Muzumder both passed the 70 mark as Bishop Auckland posted 272-5 at Feethams and despite 116 from Yorkshire's Simon Guy, Darlington only managed 228-6 in reply.

Richmondshire's good form came to an end at Blackhall for whom Imran Jan and Richard Watts both took three wickets restricting the visitors to only 146-8.

John Darby (70 not out) and Tony Booth with 47 then secured an eight wickets win for the Colliers.

Northallerton recorded a week-end double to just about end their relegation fears. Bottom-of-the-table Thornaby were bowled out for just 61 yesterday as Jonathan Barnes took four wickets for only 18 runs. The easy task was then completed by Doug Mulholland with an unbeaten 40.

Martin Hood (86) and Neil Russell (84) paved the way for Redcar's total of 213-4 but Normanby Hall were untroubled replying with 176-5.

The runs flowed at Brinkburn Road where Hartlepool raised 310-5 including 144 by Stephen Chapman. His magnificent performance was almost emulated by Paul Freary, who carried his bat for 136 when Darlington RA responded with 234-6.

Guisborough almost came unstuck at Redcar on Saturday when they were saved from defeat by last pair Paul Goodchild and Graeme Wrightson who contributed 24 invaluable runs between them.

Even so, the Fountain Garth side were only 119-9 at the end of a low-scoring and tense match. Dulip Samaraweera claimed four wickets for 46 runs and Guisborough's cause was not helped when two batsmen were run out.

Redcar, too, found the going difficult when they made first use of the wicket and their innings produced only 135 as David Towse and Richard Dunn shared nine wickets.

Saltburn failed to take full advantage when they were also held to a draw in their game with Darlington at Feethams. Tony Bell laid the foundations for the Seasiders' total of 222-6 which came in 49.5 overs when he carried his bat for 111 with one six and 12 fours.

Adil Ditta added 57 but hopes of taking maximum points were thwarted by Darlington, whose openers Neil Pratt (39) and Simon Guy put together a good partnership. Darlington were never threatened and at the completion of their overs were 174-6.

Bottom-of-the-table Thornaby claimed 14 points from their draw with Blackhall. Hrishikesh Kanitkar again showed form with a half century in a total of 186-8 before Imran Jan led the Colliers' reply of 156-8, contributing 48.

Middlesbrough enjoyed a romp making 272 for three declared at Acklam Park. Visitors Normanby Hall responded with a comfortable innings of 207-4 which included 80 by Stephen McNicholas.

Hartlepool crumbled to just 96 all out when Jonathan Barnes captured five for 34 runs. Northallerton, in need of points to stave off any threat of relegation, paced their reply and 42 from Doug Mulholland earned a critical seven-wickets success.

Shanoka Dissanayake again hit form with bat and ball leading Richmondshire to a seven-wickets victory over Darlington RA. After taking four for 76 in tamdem with young Christopher Layfield (4-65), he went on to make a top-scoring 77. Mark Layfield batted throughout the Richmond reply, ending unbeaten on 68.

Darren Hickey (34) and Chisholm with 57 top-performed in the RA innings which produced 184-9 from the 50 overs.

Paul Timmens and Stuart Morgan bowled Bishop Auckland to victory over Marske when they both claimed five wickets as the visitors only just managed to make three figures.

In contrast, Bishop's innings closed just three runs short of 200 after Adil Muzumdar (60) top scored and both Darren Blenkiron and Hiran Marambe passed the 30 mark.