DARREN Hickey crashed 12 boundaries to set the Darlington innings alight when the Feet-hams side responded to a healthy Marske total of 189-9 in the Darlington Building Society NY and SD premier division on Saturday.

Opener John Glendenen hit six fours in his knock of 40, but Hickey made 78 from 70 deliveries to set the stage for a fine seven-wicket triumph for Darl-ington.

Mark Jobling joined in the assault by driving a six and five boundaries in his undefeated 34.

Professional Stuart Hutton and Ricky Clayton each scored half-centuries to help Marske reach their 189 total.

League leaders Saltburn were asked to take first knock when they visited Brinkburn Road and were dismissed for 128 on a wicket with variable bounce. Paul Thomas, the RA Australian pro, bowled unchanged for 24 overs to earn thoroughly deserved figures of 7-63 and Paul Hague deserved better than his 2-34 indicates.

Tony Bell, at No 8, batted superbly for his 56 to hold the Saltburn innings together.

The RA reply was soon in trouble against Adil Ditta, 3-10, and pro Rashid, 2-21, and they were 48-6 with the innings in tatters when the rain came and the match ended drawn.

A fine undefeated knock of 106 by opener Mark Croft was the feature of the Normanby Hall innings at Richmond. Clive Layfield claimed 3-34 in his 14 overs.

Home openers Chris Witton, 57, and captain Andy Mollitt, 46, shared a century opening partnership of 107 to set a solid foundation for their second league victory by seven wickets.

The Layfield brothers, Mark and Clive, were still at the crease when victory was achieved with the main danger being the weather.

In the first division match at Feethams, a weakened Darling-ton 2nd Xl could only muster 132-9 with opener Peter Bentley making 37 and Simon Whitehead scoring 47.

Marske II hastened to a nine wicket victory with opener Mark Walker unbeaten on 85.