THE championship race is now beginning to take shape as the halfway stage of the season is reached in the Premier Division, writes Alan Johnson.

Leaders Saltburn asked Darlington to bat first on their visit to the seaside and they could only muster an all out total of 149, largely due to the form of Pakistan professional Maujashim Rashid, who claimed 5-51 in 23 overs and Adil Ditta, who took 3-34 in 10.4 overs.

Opener Mark Stainsby made a top score of 47, Keith Barker 36 and Mark Jobling 26, but not one of the other batsmen reached double figures.

Ditta then opened the Saltburn innings, making 66 with nine boundaries to complete a fine all-round performance and ease the home team to a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Second-placed Redcar travelled to Kingsway and set a mammoth target of 249-8 for champions Bishop Auckland in their 50 overs. The home bowlers suffered, but Jackie Ayre and professional Steve Chapman each claimed three wickets.

Opener Mark Higgs, the visitors' Australian professional set the pace, crashing eight boundaries in his 39, while fellow opener Martin Hood made 40. Graham Bowen continued his good form with 61 and youngster Craig Lumsden only just missed a maiden half-century (48).

The Bishops reply never really gathered the required momentum as Chapman fell for 34, but Ayre (48 not out) also starred with the bat. Higgs almost changed the match with 4-39, but the innings closed at 169-8 in the 49th over due to bad light.

Northallerton were dismissed for a paltry 67 in the 45th over at Mandale Bottoms against newly promoted Thornaby. Veteran Colin Vaulks captured 4-28 in his 14-over spell and was well supported by Ian McDonald (3-15) and South African professional Geoff Love (3-19).

The home batsmen wasted no time, with opener Jimmy Carter unbeaten on 35 as they reached their target for the loss of three wickets in the 25th over.

At Park Drive, Hartlepool moved off the bottom of the table as they recorded their first victory of the season. Captain Gary Tebbett asked visitors Normanby Hall to make first use of the wicket and the major contributions came from opener Neil Coverdale, who made 42, and Steve McNicholas with an undefeated 56. They were eventually all out for 197 with John Fitzpatrick taking 4-58 in 15 overs.

Andy Holland opened the Hartlepool innings and made 37, but an unfinished stand for the third wicket between wicketkeeper Graham Wrightson (50 no) and John Cannon (83 no) dominated the innings. In 81 deliveries, Cannon crashed two sixes and twelve other boundaries to ensure an eight-wicket win for the home side.

Marske were asked to bat first when they welcomed Middlesbrough. Professional Stewart Hutton made a thoughtful and unbeaten 74 as they totalled 200-8 in their allocated overs as slow left-armer Lee Beaumont (3-47) toiled to restrict the total.

The Boro openers continued their good form as Richie Storr made 74 and James Beaumont 30, but they were bowled out for 174 and a home victory by 26 runs. Hutton recorded 3-33.

Ged Hull made a half-century for Darlington RA when they visited the Welfare Ground at Thornaby and set Blackhall a target of 156-9 in their 50 overs. Professional Michael Foster claimed 3-44 and Stuart Morgan, playing against his former club, a respectable 4-40.

The home reply faltered but opener John Darby made a half-century and an unbeaten 33 from Ben Usher eased Blackhall to a four-wicket victory.

Guisborough captain Richard Dunn asked visitors Richmondshire to bat first and they posted a respectable 176-9. Pakistan professional Umer Rashid made a top score of 62 and Chris Hill scored 35, but the home side romped to an impressive eight-wicket victory thanks largely to a superb unbeaten 84 from Graham Shaw and 37 from opener Saul Clifford.

Meanwhile, Stokesley will play Nunthorpe in the final of the Hornaby Cup after they reached a formidable 145 for six at home to Billingham Synthonia, with Phil Kendrew carrying his bat for 70.

David Campbell provided solid support with 21, as did Graeme Goodall, whose 29 was a valuable contribution.

In reply, Synthonia managed 102 for nine from their 25 overs. Top scorer was Burgun with 24, while for Stokesley James Umpleby had three for four and Freddie Parkes three for 19.

Despite scoring 128 for eight in 25 overs, Barnard Castle lost out to Nunthorpe who romped to victory in only 18.3 overs. Richard Robertson was the match-winner with an undefeated 61, while David Wass added 34 and Jim Thornton was 19 not out.

Batting first, Barnard Castle also found runs easy to come by, with Ian Dent making 54. Nunthorpe's James Petch took two for 17 and Jeff Watson three for 25.

l Full First Division report p30.