Richmondshire won at Darlington to go 19 points clear at the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League with just four games remaining.

The Quakers totalled 146 all out, after losing early wickets. Tom Hewison scored 63 runs from 110 balls, while Sam Wood claimed 3-25 and Craig Marshall 3-31. The Dalesmen then had Steven Reeves making a crucial 44 not out, to steer his side to 147-5 and claim the victory.

Barnard Castle did the leaders a favour, as they got the better of second-placed Marton at Vere Road. Barney took first knock and amassed 292-5, thanks to Giles Creedon (47), Hashan Dumindu (44), skipper James Quinn (64), Richard Borrowdale (52) and then Pat Roberts smashed 36 not out from just 14 balls, which included six fours and a six.

Although Aamer Sajjad scored 65 and Owen Kelly 37, the visitors were never in the game and hung on for the draw, as James Wainman claimed an excellent 5-43, with Marton finishing on 183-9.

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Burnmoor are four points clear at the top, following their low scoring win, by just nine runs, at home to Tynemouth.

They decided to bat first, but were in all kinds of trouble losing early wickets and slumped to 64-5. However, Craig Symington scored 21 and Samiullah Khan made 28 to scramble them up to 113-9 declared.

In reply, the visitors who still hold an outside chance of the title, started fairly well as opener Ben Debnam scored 33. Craig Stephenson then made the breakthrough, claiming 3-25 and then Graeme Bridge turned out to be the match-winner, as he took an excellent 5-24, despite George Harding making 36 in a final total of 104 all out.

Chester-le-Street won easily at home to Hetton Lyons, as the visitors were skittled out for just 50.

The Cestrian attack was led by Quentin Hughes, who claimed 3-19 and there were three wickets each, for Brodie Glendinning, Liam Simpson, and Ben Whitehead.

Although Jacob McCann failed to trouble the scorers, skipper John Coxon made 31 not out, to steer his team to a nine-wicket win, to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the title race.

Whitburn entertained Sacriston and the home side struggled, as Jack Keall returned 4-37 and Craig Robertson 4-33, while Phillip Bell resisted with 31 runs, in a final total of 122 all out. In reply, the visitors coasted to an eight-wicket win, courtesy of Solomon Bell who made 65 not out and Daniel Anderson 44 not out, in an unbroken third wicket partnership of 114 runs, finishing on 123-2.

Eppleton hosted Felling and the visitors were asked to bat first.

They struggled throughout their innings, apart from Nihal Shilar who made 42 runs, in a total of just 97 all out. Connor Whitelock was the pick of the bowling, as he returned figures of 3-22.

The home side then batted well, as openers Marcus Brown (44) and Tyler Easton (56no), put on 85 runs for the first wicket, ending up on 100-1 off 21.2 overs.

In the big match at the top of the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, leaders Lanchester were asked to bat first at home to Tynedale. They made 194-9 thanks to Kieran Gohery, who scored 72 not out, with useful contributions from Marc Ramshaw 33 and Callum Barnes 33 as Josh Renton claimed 3-40.

The visiting opening partnership of skipper Thomas Cant (75) and Daniel Parker (46), who put on 145 for the first wicket, laid the foundation for the win. Although they then lost quick wickets, Sam Mannion kept his head to score 32, in a final score of 195-8, despite the best efforts of Kieron Taylor who took 4-44.

Leadgate are a step closer to promotion from Division Two, as they won by six wickets at Bates Cottages. The home side were bowled out for 71, thanks to Lee Innes who took 4-25 and David Richardson who claimed 3-23. In reply, the visitors were reduced to 5-2, the 28-3, but 21 not out from David Richardson saw them home on 75-4.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, with just four games remaining, Easington hold a 52-point lead at the top.

They powered past Littletown, posting 218-8. Jason Moses with 66 not out and Robert Atherton 45, put on 96 runs for the fifth wicket, then Omar Shahid’s 33 set a difficult target.

The home side only made 80 all out, as Shahid took a brilliant 7-32 to maintain their unbeaten record this season.

Horden are in trouble at the bottom, as they hosted Philadelphia and the visitors won by eight wickets.

The home side made just 75 all out, as Nimesh Vimukthi claimed an excellent 5-9, while Adam Hall top scored with 28 runs. In reply, Phili lost early wickets, but Vimukthi with the bat hit 34 to see them over the line on 77-2.