LEADERS Saltburn are clearly in no modd to give up their place at the top, demolishing Bishop Auckland who were dismissed for 34 .

With rain a possibility at some stage, Saltburn wasted no time and the match lasted only 30.3 overs.

It has been a roller coaster season for Bishops whose new-look side started badly, staged a dramatic recovery to threaten the leading pack, but they are now on a downward slide and not a single batsman reached double figures at Saltburn.

Pakistani left-arm spinner Mauhthashim Rashid has proved an inspired signing for Saltburn. He opened the attack and bowled five maidens out of 12 in taking five wickets for 12 runs. Tony Bell - as ever reliable - bowled 11.1 overs from the other end in capturing five wickets for 18 runs.

Saltburn's reply was both quick and effective. Although they lost three wickets, two of them to Andrew Tait for five runs, they hurried to victory in 7.2 overs.

Redcar stay second, two points behind their neighbours and rivals, following a 16-runs victory at bottom-of-the-table Normanby Hall.

It wasn't exactly comfortable for the visitors at the halfway stage when they were defending a total of only 113. Early wickets went down at an alarming rate but Mark Cosgrove, their young all-rounder proved a match-winner.

He stabilised the innings, batting at number three and had made 36 before he was bowled to earn Andy Harrow his only success. Neil Russell returned 3-31 and Addison 2-21 when Redcar added to their problems by having three batsmen run out.

Normanby Hall, with just one win all season, struggled from the start of their reply before Russell raised their hopes with a mid-innings contribution of 25 but eventually the innings closed at 97.

Cosgrove, who has added a new dimension to the Redcar team during his time on holiday from Australia, then became matchwinner with the ball. He took out opener Mark Croft and then claimed the prize wicket of Russell before picking up another two victims late in the innings to end with figures of 4-38. Redcar professional Mark Higgs, introduced as third-change into the attack, took a couple of wickets for just 11 runs with his left-arm spinners.

Guisborough maintained their challenge for honours and severely dented Middlesbrough's when they won by eight wickets.

Recently-appointed professional David Towse again impressed and his 23.5 overs which included eight maidens cost just 31 runs for five wickets. Paul Goodchild sent down 22 overs returning 4-59 as the pair shared the attack bowling out Boro for 92.

Henderson Bryan was the only Middlesbrough player to offer much resistance but after hitting a couple of sixes and three boundaries in 39, he fell to Goodchild when Gary Bolton held the catch. Guisborough did not make the best of starts, losing Saul Clifford and Paul Ramage early. Bolton joined Gary Shaw but the latter had to retire after scoring 39 by which time Guisborough were in sight of their modest target.

Towse then partnered Bolton in an unbroken partnership for the third wicket which secured victory in 23.1 overs.

Guisborough are in third position, just seven points behind Saltburn and Blackhall are also in the championship frame despite being held to a draw at Thornaby.

Ben Usher's half century, together with 41 from Stuart Morgan and 34 from Tony Booth set up the Collierymen for a useful total of 194. Geoff Love bowled well in the Thornaby attack and was well worth his figures of 5-52.

Thornaby never seriously threatened in their reply and at stumps were 132-6 with Richard Watts taking three of the wickets for 30 runs.

Hartlepool gained a much-needed victory at home to Darlington when new professional, Pakistani Aaley Haider impressed during his second outing. Faced with a target of 112, Hartlepool quickly lost the wicket of Andy Holland before Stephen Lamb and Haider joined forces in the second-wicket stand.

Haider was the more dominant and his unbeaten 59 included no fewer than 50 runs in boundaries as he struck one six and 11 fours. Lamb finished with six boundaries in his 38 not out and Pool recorded only their second win with nine wickets in hand after 27.4 overs.

Darlington laboured through 35.3 overs when they batted first at Park Drive. Gary Moody played a captain's role but his unbeaten 27, with five boundaries, was the best that his side could produce before the innings ended after 35.3 overs with 111 runs on the board.

Ian Jackson was the scourge of the visiting batsmen. He sent down 12.3 oversand with figures of 6-24 produced one of the best bowling performances of the day.

There were only eight overs bowled when Richmondshire made 19 for the loss of one wicket at home to Darlington RA and rain prevented any play in the match between Northallerton and Marske.