Richmondshire stretched their lead at the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League to 10 points following a comfortable win at Great Ayton.

In a rain-interrupted match, the Dalesmen piled on the runs, totalling 250-6. Gary Pratt (46) and Robert Carr (72), put on 77 runs for the first wicket. Steven Reeves then added 47, alongside 36 from Tom Dowson in a commanding total of 250-6.

Although Ayton were set a revised target of 142 in 20 overs, they collapsed to 93 all out.

Samuel Moylan fell for 42 and Phil Holdsworth was dismissed for 34, as Steven Reeves took 4-25 to win the match.

Barnard Castle had the better of a draw with rivals Darlington. Asked to bat first, they lost early wickets, but Mike Dixon held it together with an excellent 98 and Richard Borrowdale scored 58, as they put on 132 for the fourth wicket and declared their innings on 227-5.

The Quakers also lost early wickets, as Josh Bousfield claimed 3-27, so they dug in and claimed the draw on 104-7, thanks to Liam Coates who scored a vital 30 runs.

The big game in Division One involving the top two went Saltburn’s way, as they defeated Bishop Auckland by five wickets.

The home side made just 105 all out, thanks to an excellent 5-12 from Alex Smith and in reply, the visitors started well. Openers Paul Allen (41) and Jason Erskine (31) put on 66 for the first wicket. Craig George claimed all five wickets, in a final total of 107-5.

Yet again the rain played havoc with the Dukes ECB North East Premier League programme, as only Burnmoor who entertained Felling, actually won a game.

They took 28 points to keep the pressure on leaders and champions South North, and they are now just four points behind at the top of the league.

Hetton Lyons were at Tynemouth, lost the toss and were asked to bat first. They were on 43-4 as Owen Gourley struck twice early on, but at 76-4 the match was washed out by the weather and abandoned, with opener Jonathan Malkin unbeaten on 28 not out.

Eppleton travelled to Benwell Hill and were on 28-0, when the rains came, and the match was abandoned.

Chester-Le-Street were 13-0 at Whitburn, before the rain came and washed out play.

The game between Sacriston and Newcastle, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League leaders Lanchester remain top, following a narrow 13 run win over visiting Consett. The home side scored 147-7, mainly thanks to Kieran Gohery who scored 55 and Bryan Potts who made 37 not out.

The visitors did not start well, but Callan McCabe gave them hope with 49 and Dan Pyke with 29 not out, but they fell just a little short of the target on 134-7.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, Easington have a healthy 31-point lead at the top following their winning draw at home to Philadelphia. Batting first, they totalled 191-6 thanks to Jason Moses who made 48 and Kavindu Kulasekara 62, while Robert Atherton chipped in with a useful 42 runs.

Phili started well with opener Shaun Smith scoring 45, but they shut up shop following Omar Shahid’s 3-40, to finish on 141-6 and remain in third place.

Tudhoe won at home to Littletown, and now move out of the bottom two. Daniel Thexton batted well for 61 from 71 balls, which included nine fours and a six, while Matthew Fishburn and Shrey Bhatt claimed two wickets each, in a final total of 176-6.

In reply, Jordan Woodley made 49 and Gregg Arundel 57, as they put on 63 for the third wicket, but Daniel Brown with 4-49, James Curry 3-30 and Jonathan Hall 3-25, sealed the win for the home side.