Guisborough's failure to win their game in hand further strengthens Saltburn's position at the top of the table. The sides have now played the same number of fixtures and with five matches to play the Seasiders enjoy a 33-points advantage which will take some eroding.

Guisborough had Richmondshire struggling on 104 for eight in yesterday's game when David Towse and Paul Goodchild shared seven wickets but the visitors also found runs at a premium when they batted first.

Graeme Murray's 68 was invaluable to a total of 148 for nine as Shanoka Dissanayake and Andy Fleming took the nine wickets between them.

Richmond are third from bottom, now just two points ahead of Northallerton who improved their chances of avoiding the drop by defeating Great Ayton.

Ayton struggled to 124 for nine from no fewer than 50 overs as John Sample claimed five wickets for a mere 25 runs. Opener Mark Stainsby then steered his side to a crucial victory ending unbeaten on 50.

Billingham Synthonia remain at the bottom after they gained only four points from their drawn match with Hartlepool.

Michael Gough (32), Phil Johnston (52) and Richie Evans with 30 led Pools to 163 for five before Synners struggled against Ashley Day (4-35) and Ian Palmer (4-18). At close of play, they were only 75 for eight.

There was an exciting finale at Brinkburn Road where Bishop Auckland lost four wickets for two runs in the last couple of overs.

It appeared that Amul Mazumdar (96) and Darren Blenkiron had batted Bishops into a winning position until Ashar Zaidi struck late in the innings.

Zaidi was also in form with the bat, crashing an unbeaten 156 which together with a half century by Danny Page enabled RA to reach the spectacular total of 253 for three.

Darlington too scored freely with half centuries from Neil Pratt and Mark Jobling featuring in their total of 222 for three against Marske at Feethams.

Rob Nicol opened Marske's reply scoring 42 but Steve Chapman's five-wickets haul had them on the defensive at stumps with just one wicket remaining.

Middlesbrough saw off the challenge from Normanby Hall by 94 runs when the Roberts brothers starred. Alex struck 132 not out and Brett 35 not out when Boro totalled 213 for five. The pair then shared six wickets reducing the Hall to only 119.

There were only two winners in Saturday's rain-soaked programme and both affected the relegation zone.

Northallerton lost to Darlington RA but Richmondshire improved their chances of avoiding the drop by winning at Hartlepool.

Darlington RA, meanwhile, celebrated victory over Northallerton at Brinkburn Road and moved to third top - their highest rating for a long time.

They left it late though and they had just one ball to spare when they met the target of 143.

Ashar Zaidi opened with 36 before David Eckels (25) and Phil Crowther added 35 in partnership. No fewer than 30 of the runs were scored by skipper Crowther who struck a six and four boundaries.

RA conceded just six wickets, four of them to Jonathan Barnes whose marathon spell of 20 overs earned him four wickets for 53 runs.

When they batted first, Northallerton ended with 142 for six from a restricted 40 overs. Doug Mulholland struck a six and six fours out of 63 adding 48 for the opening partnership with Mark Stainsby.

Richmondshire improved their chances of avoiding the drop when they had five wickets in hand of Hartlepool at Park Drive.

Michael Gough (34) and John Cannon with 45 top-performed in the Pools total of 152 for eight compiled from 49 overs.

Richmond made an uncertain start to their reply losing a couple of early wickets before Mark Layfield (41) and Andy Fleming with an unbeaten 39 put their side on the road to a crucial victory.

Little play was possible at Marske where leaders Saltburn were 73 for four including 38 by skipper Adil Ditta. Left-arm spinner Lee Beaumont took three of the wickets for just 23 runs.

Second-top Guisborough faced the prospect of meeting a fairly stiff target at Great Ayton who were 161 for nine from 45 overs when the game was abandoned.

Thara Gunarathne struck a six and seven boundaries in 51 and Anthony Doyle added 40. Richard Dunn, with three for 34 from eight overs was the top wicket-taker for Guisborough.

Only 30 overs were possible at Normanby Hall who were 108 for four against Darlington. Steve McNicholas recorded three sixes and five fours in an unbeaten 58 made from just 74 deliveries. All three wickets fell to Steve Chapman for 58 runs in 15 overs.

In Division One The three leading sides all won leaving Thornaby in pole position but they are being hotly pursued by Marton and Blackhall.

Thornaby's fixture at home to Stokesley was curtailed by rain and the visitors' innings reduced to 38 overs.

They scored at a rate of more than three runs an over making 130 for five which included 60 by opener Mark Smith with one six and five boundaries. Umar Rashid bowled an economical 19 overs, conceding 46 runs for two wickets and later he took control with the bat.

Thornaby romped to victory in 28 overs losing just one wicket. Michael Muldowney (30) and Ian MacDonald with an unbeaten 47 gave their side a good start and the impetus was maintained by Rashid with an unbeaten 44.

Marton made light of their task at Seaton Carew overtaking the home side's total of 151 for four in 24 overs.

Graham Shaw struck 13 boundaries in an unbeaten 77 and Chris Lane had 11 fours out of 62 as the pair hurried their side to an eight-wickets victory. Seaton batted the full 50 overs and their top performer at the wicket was David Barber with an undefeated 51.

Blackhall are third and they required just 20 overs to score the necessary runs at home to Guisborough who were all out in 32.2 overs for a modest 114.

Steve Hanson was in splendid form in the Colliers' attack taking five of the wickets for just 29 runs in 11 overs, five of which were maidens.

Jason Robson (31), Tony Booth with 28 and John Derby (27 not out) wasted no time with rain always threatening.

Only one other game was started but it was abandoned with Normanby Hall 120 all out at Redcar. Mahmood finished with 64 not out and in the Redcar attack, Jason Robinson took six wickets for a mere 11 runs.