Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

IN the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, Richmondshire remain in pole position, as they visited Normanby Hall and totalled 198-9 declared. Skipper Rob Carr made an excellent 97 from 144 balls, which included 11 fours and Sam Wood then added 30 not out, as Waleed Rehman claimed 4-34 with the ball.

The home side were immediately on the back foot, as Ajay Mandal struck three early blows to put them on 19-4. However, Amr Karim was in good form with the bat and made a breezy 49, but Gary Pratt sealed their fate taking 3-33 and they were all out for 131.

Marton moved up to second place, following a narrow and exciting three-run win at home to Hartlepool, in a breath-taking match to leapfrog their opponents. They were asked to take first knock and struggled, as Paul Braithwaite (5-29) took early wickets for the visitors and although skipper Alex Wardell made a painstaking top score of 26 from 63 balls, they decided to declare on 116-9.

Pools then also struggled, as Wardell with the ball claimed an excellent 4-67, alongside Faizan Hussain who then came to the party and took 4-26, as the match swung back Marton’s way. The visitors were eventually 113 all out, leaving Tom Gavin undefeated on 31 in a superb finish.

Barnard Castle are still in the title mix, as the top four are now separated by just 21 points. They decided to bat first at home to Thornaby and struggled to get going, with only Samarth Seth making 30 and Josh Bousfield 34 late on, from 31 balls in a final total of 168 all out. On the bowling front, Tonius Simon took 3-32 while Lewis Harper, Husnain Bukhari and Steven Purcifer shared six wickets.

Thornaby batted steadily to start with, as John Watson made 30 and Husnain Bukhari 33, but they were eventually all out for 123 and lost by 45 runs, leaving the visitors work to do, in their quest to avoid relegation.

Billingham Synthonia were in trouble early on against Stokesley, as they were reduced to 37-5, and they were eventually skittled for just 74 runs, due to excellent bowling from Joe Marsay (6-41) and Andrew Weighell (3-28).

Tom Preece then scored 41 not out and Jonny Weighell 33 not out for the visitors, to complete an easy ten-wicket win on 77-0, to gain 20 vital points in their drive to avoid relegation.

Middlesbrough travelled to Saltburn and totalled 148-9, thanks to Matthew Maloy who top scored with 40 and Gopal Singh who made 30, against good bowling from Liam Crooks (3-38) and Alex Smith (3-48).

The Seasiders then had Owen Tennant scoring 39, but Alfie Taylor-Clarke struck with (4-58) and reduced them to 129-4, but it was not enough and they finished on 150-5, to claim the points.

Great Ayton v Marske was called off for isolation reasons.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington won the big game at the top, as they leapfrogged their opponents Sedgefield into second place. The home side batted first and made 131-9 thanks to Ben Swindale who fired 73 not out, while Ollie King took the bowling honours with an excellent 5-46, although Jonathan Barnes bowled 15 overs for just six runs.

In reply, opener James Sutton led the way, making 48 runs in a comfortable seven wicket win, as they finished on 132-3.

Darlington RA are back in the promotion mix, as they gleaned the maximum points at home to Wolviston. They totalled 188 all out, thanks to Dale Marshall who top scored with 49 runs, as Paul Featherstone claimed 4-38 with the ball.

The visitors then had Andy Fish score 55, but no-one could stay with him, as Dale Marshall ripped up the batting order to claim an excellent 5-29, backed up by Carl McGregor (4-46) to bowl them out for 113.