Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Bishop Auckland maintained their lead at the top of the table but they are being hotly pursued, by Northallerton, who have an identical playing record.

Bishops though have won more bonus points and enjoy a slender advantage. Their latest success came at the expense of Guisborough even though they were required to make the total of 232.

They also had to overcome the early loss of Darren Blenkiron but from then on it was all uphill for Bishops. Amul Mazumdar (73) and Andy Bowman with 36 put together a productive partnership for the second wicket and they were followed by Mattie Brown with an unbeaten 65 and Ben Usher (37 not out).

Australian Sean Clingeleffer was only three runs short of a century and Graeme Murray added 54. The pair laid the foundations for Guisborough's total of 231 for eight, which looked defendable at the halfway stage.

Northallerton recorded the quickest win of the day when they sent Redcar back to the pavilion in 23 overs for just 57. Liam Botham captured five of the wickets for 32 runs and the ever-reliable Jonathan Barnes had figures of four for 21 from 12 overs, six of which were maidens.

Northallerton lost Mark Stainsby early before Rashmi Parida (30 not out) and Jerry Hall hurried their side to victory in just 12.1 overs. In all, only 35.1 overs were bowled and the game was over by 4.15 pm.

Darlington dented Hartlepool's early-season challenge with a penultimate ball victory at Park Drive. Set the challenge of scoring 179 they did so with five wickets remaining and were again indebted to Aaron Heal for another superb innings.

He struck 12 boundaries in 67, Neil Pratt had a six and seven fours in 44 and at the end James Alderson contributed a crucial unbeaten 38.

Thara Gunarathne also hit form with the bat for Pools and his 79 not out included a six and 13 fours. Michael Gough added 41, but the 50 overs only produced a total of 178 for five. Nevertheless, the home side made Darlington fight right to the wire.

Normanby Hall are bottom after losing by ten wickets at Marton where they laboured to just 88 for eight as Dan Conway and Mark Ditchburn both claimed three wickets at little cost.

In contrast, Marton hurried to victory. Martin Hood (34 not out) and Chris Lane (41 not out) dominated the four-man Hall attack.

Middlesbrough just edged Great Ayton by 13 runs at Acklam Park. Faced with a target of 231, Ayton went close before the innings ended on 217 in the 48th over.

Three of their batsmen were run out and three wickets fell to Alex Roberts for 75 runs in 20 overs.

Darren Hickey, with two sixes and eight fours in 79 made from only 84 balls and Riaz Afridi (34) almost clinched victory.

Alex Roberts, who had no fewer than ten boundaries out of 55 compiled from just 43 deliveries, Jonathan Spillane (44) and Brett Roberts with 41, all struck form leading Boro to 230 for seven in 50 overs. Five of the wickets went to Anthony Doyle for 65 runs.

Ryan Bailey hit an unbeaten 104 but still ended on the losing side as Marske lost by five wickets at Saltburn for whom Gary Scott (123 not out) was also a century-maker.

Darlington RA moved off the bottom when they battled for a share of the points with Richmondshire at Brinkburn Road. The Layfield brothers Clive with 65 and Mark (36) laid the foundations for Richmond's 180 for eight with Khalid taking five for 74 before opening RA's reply scoring 41.

David Eckels added 56 and at stumps RA were 157 for eight. Four of the wickets were claimed by Shanoka Dissanayake for 70 runs.