Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

IN the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, Richmondshire lead the way, with an impressive maximum points haul at home to Marske, who are now deep in trouble. Although Jamie Sill struck early blows, reducing them to 33-3, professional Ajay Mandal scored an impressive 106 from 117 balls, which included ten fours and four sixes, to get his side up to a final total of 227-8 declared.

The Seasiders then collapsed to 29-5 and eventually 59 all out, as Shaun Charlton claimed an excellent 6-26, alongside Harvey Websdale who took 3-26 to win the game by 168 runs, leaving the visitors in all kinds of trouble, in the bottom two relegation slots.

Hartlepool will be relieved to pick up a win and are back in the title race, as they batted first at Normanby Hall. Paul Braithwaite scored 31, Tom Gavin 39 and Neil Whitworth 67, as they totalled 208-9, while Chris Witherley claimed 4-43 with the ball. The home side never got going and with Neil Whitworth claiming 4-16 and Jamie Rathbone 3-25, the home side slumped to 92 all out.

Marton are not out of the title race yet, but they dropped points at home to Middlesbrough, who were asked to bat first. Openers James Lowe (46) and Sam Gaudie (80) put on 113 runs together for the first wicket. Cole Pearce then added 50 not out and Matthew Bell 55, in a final total of 276-7, while Johnathon Pickard claimed 3-67.

In reply, the home side made 195-9, as Ben Hutchinson scored 37 and Liam Coates 70, but Matthew Bell with the ball claimed 5-44, as Boro finished the match stronger.

Great Ayton did themselves a big favour by beating Thornaby at home, by 76 runs and claim the maximum 25 points. They racked up 244-9 in their 50 overs, while the visitors were bowled out for 168, which means they are now just nine points behind their opponents, who sit just above the relegation trapdoor.

Stokesley had a good win at Saltburn, scoring 201 all out. Shanuka Vithanawasam with 39 and Jack Allinson 35 made the bulk of the runs, while Sam Parry claimed 3-42. In reply, Ben Ainsley with 32 and Jacob Midgely 33 not out resisted, but Andrew Weighell was in good form with the ball, taking 4-34 and Joe Marsay chipped in with 3-74, as the home side ended up on 179 all out.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

PROMOTION-chasing Darlington slipped to third, as they totalled up 232-7 at Whitby. James Sutton with 36, Nathan Wright 35 and then Andrew Peacock, who smashed 65 not out from 53 balls, scored the runs.

In reply, Theo Clarke with 63, Andrew Wood 45 and Kai Morris 45, got the game down to the last ball, needing two to win. However, Grant Sowerby (5-56) kept his nerve and bowled a dot ball, with the home side finishing on 231-9, to end an exciting drawn game.

Darlington RA moved into second place, although they have played a game more, following their win at home to Richmondshire seconds. They totalled 227 all out, with Ben I'Anson top scoring with 69, as Joe Shields claimed 5-50.

Although Jake Percival made 48 in reply, Andrew Russell did the damage claiming 5-27, to bowl them out for 148.

Sedgefield are fourth and are also in the promotion mix, as they amassed 279-8 declared against Wolviston, thanks to a century from Luke Henderson (111) who partnered Ben Swindale (42), to an opening partnership of 115 runs together, with Spencer Nicholson claiming an excellent 5-63.

The visitors were never in it batting wise, and were all out for just 73, thanks to Sam North with an impressive 6-32 and Kieren Latcham 4-35.