Saltburn are well on the way towards clinching the Darlington Building Society North Yorkshire South Durham Premier League Premier Division championship following a weekend double.

They now require just three points from their last two matches after yesterday's eight-wicket victory at Darlington RA who were restricted to only 114 for seven. Adil Ditta (47) and Phil Ramage (31) quickly secured the points.

Second-top Guisborough were held to a draw at Great Ayton, whose last pair was at the wicket with 132 for nine on top. David Towse took seven of the nine wickets for 36 runs after Chris Allinson top-scored with 61 in the visitors' total of 209 for eight.

Thornaby and Marton both won leaving the former marginally ahead in Division One. They overtook the formidable Darlington RA total of 219 for eight with five wickets remaining as Umar Rashid and Toulson both contributed half centuries.

Marton enjoyed a big win at home to Yarm after Graham Shaw (83) and Chris Lane (59) led their side to 261 for six before Yarm were all out for only 120.

South Northumberland enhanced their chances of retaining the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League title, taking 29 points from their game with Tynemouth.

Spinner Lee Crozier (5-21) and Australian Brendon Ford (3-18) sent the Seasiders back for only 88 after the leaders racked up 231 for nine which included 40 plus scores by James Miller, Ford and Stephen Humble.

Chester-le-Street were held to a draw by Stockton, taking 15 points and are now 16 points off the top. Ian Still and Armstrong defied the Cestrians' attack with a lengthy last-wicket stand.

Esh Winning would have won The Readers Durham County League had they defeated Etherley - but instead they suffered only their second defeat, losing by 34 runs. Craig Emmanuel struck 122 not out and Michael Crane an unbeaten 53 leading Etherley to the impressive total of 236 for four in only 45 overs.

Esh struggled from the start of their reply but 63 by Eddie Watson raised the score to 202 as Carl McGregor and Stephen Crane shared eight wickets for Etherley in registering only their fifth win of the season.

Willington moved into second position only 11 points behind the leaders but Esh have a game in hand. Brandon made a useful 166 and after Willington lost three wickets they romped home as Dale Brown (52 not out) and Chris Moore with an unbeaten 71 formed an unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket.

Hetton Lyons increased their lead to 14 points at the top of the Foster's Durham Senior League as a result of their drawn game at Whitburn.

They were in difficulties at 134-6 before Tom Nixon (37 no) and Graeme Martin added a precious 53 for the seventh wicket to enable them to end with 215.

The Whitburn reply stuttered throughout and Nixon almost became a match-winner with the ball picking up four wickets. However, the Whitburn late order stood firm, but the Lyons will be content with their return with two games remaining.