Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League

In a dramatic end to the season, the title and relegation scrap went down to the last ball of the season, as Richmondshire drew at Marton to claim the title and Darlington were relegated, after failing to beat Middlesbrough at Feethams and drop down to Division One.

The Dalesmen were on top early on at Marton, to leave the home side reeling on 60-5 after 25 overs. Steven Reeves with 3-39 and Sam Wood 3-49, kept them down to 156 all out, of which Aamer Sajjad made 56 valuable runs.

Marton fought back and at one stage the visitors were on 67-4, and the outcome of the match and the title, was finely balanced. Joshua Brown then ripped out the middle order claiming four quick wickets, to reduce the visitors to 102-7, but Sam Wood and Josh Dowson put on an unbroken stand of 42 runs, for the seventh wicket to claim the draw and the title, finishing on 144-7.

Sadly, Darlington were relegated in the battle to decide who would be relegated, at home to Middlesbrough. Jonathan Barnes (3-26) claimed three early wickets, and then Mark Davis (3-43), to put Boro on the back foot, at 60-5.

However, Shikhar Mehta gave his side hope, with an important 48, as they finished on 132 all out, while Callum Lethbridge returned bowling figures of 3-7, late on.

Majid Haq then scored 50 from 123 balls, and Barnes with the bat (27), but they could not get on top of some excellent bowling from the visitors. Harry Williams made early inroads, sending back James Sutton and Tom Hewison without scoring.

Skipper Leigh Beaumont then kept it tight, with a brilliant spell of 0-22 from 15 overs, to enable his side to claim the draw, with the Quakers finishing on 128-9.

Barnard Castle finished their reign as champions, with a six wicket win, at home to Thornaby. Neil Coverdale hit 62 and David Seymour 39, as the visitors totalled 198-8 in their innings, with skipper James Quinn taking 4-40.

Barney then came back strongly with the bat, making 200-4 in their innings, as Giles Creedon made 71, James Quinn 33 and Richard Borrowdale 59 not out, to claim third place in the league.

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

League leaders Burnmoor go into their last game of the season, at second placed Chester-Le-Street, needing seven points to clinch the title Dukes ECB NEPL Premier Division. They won at home against Benwell Hill to move a step closer, with a comprehensive 125 run win and claimed 30 valuable points.

They batted first and racked up 210-8, with Ryan Pringle scoring 87 and Samiullah Khan 31, while Max Williamson claimed 3-66. The Hill then collapsed to 85 all out in reply, thanks to an amazing spell of bowling from Samiullah Khan. He claimed a somewhat brilliant 9-33 from 12 overs, to complete the victory.

In pursuit of the leaders, Chester-Le-Street were at Tynemouth and were asked to bat first. They started well, as opener Jacob McCann made 100 not out from 142 balls, which included 10 fours and two sixes and Andrew Smith fired 56, alongside Quinten Hughes who scored 38, in a declared total of 236-2.

The home side made a solid start, putting on 73 for the first wicket, as Ben Debnam (33) and Nick Armstrong (45) batted well. However, John Harrison then made the breakthrough and took 3-14, followed up by Liam Burgess who claimed 3-26, to bowl them out for 132. The Cestrians now need a comprehensive win at Ropery Lane next week, to claim the title.

Sacriston travelled to South North, who still harbour chances of the title, if Burnmoor and Chester-Le-Street draw next weekend, and the home side decided to bat first, with Chris Hewison 39, John Graham 67 and Rob Peyton 42 not out, all scoring well, in a total of 227-7 declared.

The visitors then were solid with their top order, but no-one went on and built a big score. Ross Williams 34, Solomon Bell 31 and Daniel Anderson 35, all started well, but Simon Birtwisle kept their title hopes alive with an excellent 6-18, to win them the match, as they finished on 209 all out.

Hetton Lyons were at home to Felling and the visitors bowled well, reducing the Lyons to 133 all out. Nihal Shilar with 4-15 and Anthony Trotter 4-30, did the damage with the ball, despite opener Karl Turner scoring 44.

The visitors concreted their place for next season, in the Premier League, as they scored 134-2, thanks to Shilar who fired 80 from 86 balls, which included 15 fours and two sixes and claim the vital victory.

Eppleton travelled to Burnopfield and skittled the home side for just 93 runs. Robert Talbot with 4-30 and Connor Whitelock with 4-17, were the culprits. The visitors soon made the required runs, with Marcus Brown scoring 40 and Tyler Easton 50 not out, to cruise home to victory on 94-1.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League

Division 1

Lanchester fell away to third and will be deeply disappointed with their loss, at Swalwell. They scored just 116, as Nick Phillips gave his own side a glimmer of hope going into the last game next week, with an excellent 5-18.

Although they were struggling at 29-4, James Welch with 40 not out and Stephen Smith 51 not out, saw them home to victory, as they put on 92 for the fifth wicket, finishing on 121-4.

Division 2

Champions Leadgate welcomed Bedlington, and decided to bat. Opener Craig Burke scored 56 and then Luke McCabe hit 79 from 83 balls, which included 11 fours and three sixes. Graeme Hubber then scored 45 in a final total of 256-8, with Majid Ansari claiming 3-44.

The visitors batted reasonably well for their 176 all out, with Josh Watson smashing 62 not out late on, but Jack Murray with 4-37 and Graham Hubber 3-50, bowled them to victory.

Readers Durham Cricket League

Division One

Champions Easington entertained Marsden at home and kept their undefeated record alive, with a drawn game. The visitors clocked up a massive 240-4, thanks to Chris Mann who scored a majestic 130 not out and Colin Mann 46, with Patrick Jackson adding 34.

The champions then settled on 163-7, with Jonathan Davis scoring 61, as Shahid Khan and Adam Sneller claimed three wickets apiece.

Horden were relegated, after they went down by one run, as they entertain Esh Winning. Stuart Hall with 76 not out and John Carmedy with 39, helped them to 173-5 declared. In reply, the home side lost early wickets, but recovered well as Michael Hall hit 58 and Dan Stephenson 76, but Paul Chivers (4-29) and Khasif Naveed bowled them out for 172.