It's neck and neck at the top after Guisborough could only draw with Redcar and Saltburn swept aside the challenge from Richmondshire.

Reigning champions Guisborough have been out in front for some time but Saltburn have really hit form in recent weeks to establish their title credentials.

Saltburn's Rashid brothers - Umar (5-50) and Mauhtashim (3-40) - shared eight wickets and Richmondshire were restricted to only 128-8.

The modest target was meat and drink to the Seasiders, who romped to their seventh win, losing just one wicket as Adil Ditta carried his bat for 71 and Tony Bell finished unbeaten on 40.

Not even an unbeaten century from Graham Shaw could earn Guisborough victory when they hosted Redcar. Shaw's 106 not out carried the home side to the formidable total of 219-3.

Redcar conceded early wickets but Geoff Bowen held the innings together with 61 and at stumps his side was on 155-8. Five of the wickets fell to David Towse for 28 runs.

Northallerton turned the tables on Middlesbrough.

Last Thursday they crashed to 30 all out and Boro were odds-on favourites to complete a quick double but amazingly, it was the turn of their batsmen to suffer an ignominious defeat.

They were shot out for only 64 with Jonathan Barnes and Chris Wayman sharing eight of the wickets before Northallerton won with six wickets intact. Matthew Brown, their tormentor when he took eight wickets in the Kerridge Cup tie, managed only one on Saturday.

Hartlepool celebrated their third win, defeating Normanby Hall by a three-figure margin.

Andy Holland claimed five wickets for 31 runs in 13 overs and he was ably supported by man-of-the-match Steve Chapman with figures of 4-17 as the Hall were despatched for just 61.

When Pool made first use of the Park Drive wicket, they posted 178-5 with Chapman top-scoring on 55. Gary Tebbett (34) and captain John Cannon (36) also showed form.

Darlington are third top and Wolviston are still searching for their first victory after the home side won by seven wickets.

Jimmy Jones batted throughout the Wolviston innings for a well-played unbeaten 61 made from 149 balls in 175 minutes but the total of 151-8 hardly looked defendable.

Neil Pratt led Darlington's response, opening the innings and scoring 71 not out. He hit a couple of sixes and ten fours from the 106 deliveries he received. He shared a second-wicket partnership of 61 with Marks Stainsby, whose contribution was 34.

Darlington RA moved further away from the basement with an eight-wicket victory at Thornaby where Maroof Khan produced his best figures so far - 7-44. When Phil Cartwright claimed 3-43 from the other end, the two-man RA attack had their opponents back in the pavilion for just 90.

More than half the runs came from Usman Tariq (48). Skipper David Eckels (38) and youngster Paul Freary (22) gave RA's reply the perfect send-off.

Neil Coverdale and Tim Hood combined to earn Marske an easy victory at Blackhall, who were all out for 72 as Hood took seven wickets for 34 runs.

Batting first, Marske were well served by Coverdale, who batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 105.

John Wiltshire gave him support making 43 and for the Collierymen, Ben Usher captured five of the six wickets to fall for only 46 runs.