DEFENDING champions Saltburn were left licking their wounds after suffering two defeats last weekend.

On Saturday, they made the trip to Darlington for the second successive week, but failed to follow up their convincing eight-wicket victory at Feethams when they took on Darlington RA at Brinkburn Road.

A complete reversal of fortunes was largely due to RA opening bowler Peter Cartwright, who bowled unchanged for 25 overs to return superb figures of 6-54 as the visitors were dismissed for 151.

In the home side's reply, Australian professional Paul Thomas made 44 and Nigel Whalley 48 as they won by three wickets in a close finish. Visiting pro Maurice Rashid claimed 3-40 to follow his 40 runs with the bat.

Saltburn's woes continued when they travelled to play league leaders Guisborough in a re-arranged fixture at Fountains Garth on Sunday.

Opening bowler Paul Goodchild was instrumental in their dismissal for a very modest 113, claiming superb figures of 6-30 as extras top-scored with 27.

A ten-wicket win followed as openers Saul Clifford (48) and Graham Shaw (53) both carried their bats.

This followed a disappointing result on Saturday when Darlington were the visitors. Guisborough set a target of 240-7 in their 50 overs, mainly due to a fine century (133) from opener Clifford, who faced 152 deliveries and crashed no fewer than six sixes and 11 other boundaries on the way.

The Quakers struggled against the home attack and the score had reached 113-4 at stumps, with captain Mark Stainsby, batting in the middle order, unbeaten at the close on 37 as the game was drawn.

Following two successive victories, Richmondshire travelled to Acklam Park to play Middlesbrough, but lost by seven wickets following an outstanding batting performance by the home side.

David Fitzgerald, the visitors' professional from South Australia, continued his fine vein of form. He made 105, including 13 fours, and captain Andy Mollitt made 54 in a Richmond score of 223-5 in their 50 overs.

This total looked respectable, but Boro pro Tahir Rashid (93) shared a century opening stand with James Beaumont (68) and Richie Storr kept things going with 33 as they won with more than four overs to spare.

Northallerton, who continue to produce almost unpredictable form, played hosts to Redcar, who have drawn too many matches to offer a serious challenge to the leaders.

The home side batted first and set a total of 214-7 in their allocated overs with scores from David Thompson (36), pro Jon Barnes (41) and captain Ian Gill (43). Sean McGarry, who claimed 4-52, was the pick of the bowlers.

The Redcar reply was soon in trouble, with none of the first six batsmen making double figures and three of them departing for ducks. But captain Graham Bowen made a top score of 27 and they managed to hang on for a draw, reaching 100 with the last two batsmen at the wicket.

Bishop Auckland batted first at Kingsway and were dismissed for 130 by Blackhall, with Keith Stones making a top score of 44 as Ben Usher, West Indian pro Imran Jan and Gavin Watts each claimed three wickets.

Jan then opened the innings and crashed an unbeaten 72, sharing an unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 117 with Mark Hopkinson, who scored 48 as Blackhall cruised to a nine-wicket triumph to retain second spot.

Hartlepool, who are currently climbing the table, hosted Marske at Park Drive and made 212-6 in their 50 overs. Professional Steve Chapman made 73, including ten fours, and Stephen Lamb carried his bat for 38. Tim Hood claimed 4-69 in his 18 overs.

Mark Walker made 43 opening the Marske innings and pro Madanayake scored 30, but they were never really in contention and their innings closed at 166-8 as Pool had the best part of the draw.

Thornaby, currently second from bottom, welcomed Normanby Hall to Mandale Bottoms. The visitors batted first and made 159-8 in their allotted overs, with the runs shared down the order. Ian Still claimed 3-56.

South African professional Geoff Love then took command with the bat and made a fine unbeaten 93. Ian MacDonald was also undefeated with 43 as Thornaby sped to a comfortable win by seven wickets.

Division One

Unbeaten Great Ayton batted first in the local derby against Stokesley and made 193-7 in 50 overs thanks to John Doyle senior, who made a fine 88, and John Grainge, who added 47.

Opener David Fall made 59 in the Stokesley innings, which had reached 153-7 at the close and the match was drawn.

Darlington II welcomed current leaders Seaton Carew to Feethams, hoping to get back to winning ways following the previous week's defeat by Wolviston.

They batted first and, thanks to Jamie Watson's 45, they were able to set a modest total of 111. The bowling of John Fitzpatrick, who claimed 3-17, and Kevin Rowntree, with figures of 5-29, restricted the score.

The Seaton reply was not without incident, but they achieved their objective for the loss of six wickets.

Wolviston, currently lying second in the table, chalked up a comfortable away win at champions Barnard Castle.

The home side batted first and posted a total of 148 all out, thanks largely to Duncan Coates. He scored 73, with no other batsman making 20 runs. Jimmy Jones claimed 4-49 and George Sayers 4-43.

Opener Geoff Ward then made 56 and was instrumental in setting the base for a five-wicket win for Wolviston.

Middlesbrough II batted first when they visited Bedale and set a target of 171-9 in their 50 overs. Opener Graham Scanlon made 34 and Brett Roberts made 37 batting at number three.

Bedale opener Andrew Smith then made an unbeaten 82 to lead his side to a comfortable five-wicket victory.

At the Synthonia Ground, Billingham made first use of their wicket against the Hartlepool second team. Thanks to their openers, captain Dennis Wing (41) and Phil Bartley, who carried his bat with 56, they set a target of 183-5 in their 50 overs.

The Hartlepool reply was helped by opener Horsley (35) and Ahmed (71), but they could only reach 162-8. They were well contained by slow left-armer Martin Cull, who deserved his figures of 6-61 as the match ended in a draw.

In the game between two second elevens, Marske bowled out visitors Guisborough for 109, with Lee Hodgson taking 3-24 and man of the match John Nicholls 3-15.

Nicholls then made an unbeaten half-century to lead his side to a comfortable eight-wicket win.

Yarm batted first when they entertained Marton and made 171-8 in their 50 overs, with the major additions from William Wyatt (39) and John Warburton (34).

This total was not just enough against the continuing prolific form of Mark Foster. He crashed another unbeaten century (104) from only 94 balls, including 14 boundaries, to lead Marton to a seven-wicket win