Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

IN the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, Barnard Castle are right back in the title race, as they decided to bat first, taking on Middlesbrough at Acklam Park. John Woods struck early blows (3-49) for the home side, but Samarth Seth then scored an excellent 96 from 80 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes, to get them to a great score of 248-8.

Boro then lost wickets early, as Josh Bousfield (3-17) removed the openers, James Lowe and Sam Gaudie cheaply. Cole Pearce resisted with 40, but then Robert West carved up the middle order, claiming 3-15 and Karl Carver cleaned up the tail with 3-20, as the home side were skittled for 122 runs.

The important relegation match at the bottom, Normanby Hall came out on top at Marske. The visitors were asked to bat first and they made a healthy 197-8, thanks to Rashad Rashid who made 51 and Charles Chillingsworth 31 not out, after Harry Peirson had struck early with 3-29.

The Seasiders struggled from the off, thanks to Abdaar Ishaq who claimed 3-42. However, Andrew Peirson (51) and Harry Peirson (33), put on 84 runs for the eight wicket, but Qamar Karim claimed 3-31 late on, to win the game by 46 runs as the home side were 151 all out, thus giving Normanby Hall their relegation worries a huge boost and a 40 point cushion with eight games left.

Hartlepool drew at home to Great Ayton, which neither club really wanted in their respective circumstances. The visitors posted 170-9 after deciding to bat first. Winstone Masakadza top scored with 59, as Jamie Rathbone claimed an excellent 6-36, alongside Oliver Mole 3-39.

In reply, Doug Mulholland removed both openers cheaply and then Thomas Leng took out the middle order (3-38), and although Tom Gavin made 30 they lost wickets regularly and had to hang on for the draw at 160-9.

The games between Billingham Synthonia v Saltburn, Stokesley v Richmondshire and Thornaby v Marton, were all called off due to isolation issues and average points per game will apply.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

STOCKTON march on at the top, with another win at Richmondshire seconds. The Dalesmen only made 89 all out, as Jamie Burke and James Ward shared six wickets. Opener Adam Beaumont then made a score of 46 not out, to steer his team to 93-3 and victory.

Darlington had a comfortable nine wicket win, at home to Middlesbrough and with Sedgefield losing at Seaton Carew, this was a good weekend for the Quakers, who move into second place. Boro could only manage 103 all out, thanks to stalwart Danny Evans who made 30. Oliver King did the damage with an excellent 5-39, alongside James Kelly who took 3-34.

Opener Nathan Wright with 59 not out and Adam Baldwin with 37 not out, put on 88 runs together and finished on 104-1, to keep their promotion hopes alive and well.

Darlington RA kept in touch, with a four wicket win at Bishop Auckland. The home side scored 164 all out, thanks to Jack Rutherford (45), while Dale Marshall, Andrew Russell, Carl McGregor and Owen Dixon, each took two wickets.

In reply, RA stuttered to 36-4 as Nathan Rimmington took 3-45, but 70 not out from Callum Buckley got them home on 166-6 and claim the points.