IT was derby day in the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League yesterday, and the big game of the day was at Vere Road, where Barnard Castle in second place, took on leaders Richmondshire. The Dalesmen had a healthy 27-point lead before play, so the onus was on Barney to win and stay in the title race.

The home side won the toss, decided to bat first and then made a cautious start, reaching 36-0 after ten overs. Opener Josh Bousfield then got into his stride and made 37, but then Sam Wood was brilliant as he claimed (7-30) taking the first seven wickets, including professional Samarth Seth for a duck, reducing them to 65-4, but they scrambled up to 175 all out.

The Dalesmen made a slow start and then lost two quick wickets (84-3), but Sam Wood with the bat made 40, but then Karl Carver took two quick wickets, to put the cat amongst the pigeons (114-6), with seven overs remaining. However, the match ended in a draw, but the visitors could have sneaked it in an exciting finish, but ended up on 171-6, despite Karl Carver doing his best with 4-31.

This draw means that Richmondshire are crowned champions and win the 2021 title, as they cannot be caught now with just one game remaining.

Hartlepool chose to bat first at Billingham Synthonia and totalled just 113 all out with Paul Braithwaite top scoring on 36. Martin Cull was the pick of the bowling, claiming 4-10 from his 12 overs.

Synners then had Chris Atkinson (38) and Tayyab Tahir (45no) to thank, as they put on 59 runs for the third wicket, as they reached the winning total of 106-3 and leap-frogged their opponents into third place. (D/L Method).

Thornaby batted first at Middlesbrough and made a steady start, as Husnain Bukhari made a useful 69, Tonius Simon 32 and Lewis Harper 36 in a total of 207-9, with James Lowe claiming an impressive 5-40. Boro in reply slumped to 53-5 and 69 all out, as Tonius Simon with the ball returned an exceptional 7-26, to claim the win for his side.

At the bottom end of the table, and in a rain reduced match of 37 overs a side, Stokesley won the toss and chose to bat first, at home to struggling Great Ayton. They totalled 182-6, with Shanuka Vithanawasam top scoring with 45 runs, while Harry Harding added 33 not out late on.

Ayton, in dire need of points to survive relegation, lost skipper Jon Grainge early on, but Chris Batchelor made 37. However, they lost regular wickets as Joe Marsay claimed an excellent hat-trick and figures of 5-40, but they then batted out for the draw, finishing on 138-8.

Normanby Hall gave themselves a boost in their fight for survival, as they beat Marton. The home side struggled against Matthew Rose (3-47) got both professionals out, Lee Hodgson and Liam Coates, as the home side slumped to 45-4. Tom Miller then scored 62 not out from 83 balls and they were all out for 139, as Waleed Rehman cleaned up the tail with 4-25.

The visitors wasted no time and Waleed Rehman with 76 not out and Rashad Rashid 38 not out, put on 79 runs for the second wicket, to see their side to 20 valuable points, finishing on 140-1 and claim a nine-wicket win.

Bottom club Marske were sadly relegated, after they lost heavily at Saltburn. They batted first lost opener Jamie Hood jnr, without facing a ball (run out), and found it tough going early on, against the home attack. Adam Hickey made (55) and Harry Peirson 30 late on, with Liam Crookes the pick of the bowling, taking 3-40.

The home side then had Ryan Gibson in fine form, as he cracked 106 not out from 75 balls, which included 13 fours and three sixes. He put on 122 unbroken runs for the second wicket with Salinda Ushan who made 40, in a final score of 178-2 and send their neighbours into Division One.

In division one, leaders Stockton have been promoted to the Premier League, as they beat Darlington in the big game at the top, by the narrowest of margins. They won the toss and batted, scoring 175-9, thanks to Matthew Gill who made a rapid 61 from 45 balls, which included ten fours and two sixes and Leigh Beaumont who cracked 40 not out. Jonny Barnes as ever, pegged them back with (3-23), and Grant Sowerby (3-41) on the bowling front.

The Quakers stuttered in their innings, as James Ward (3-39) claimed three quick wickets and reduced them to 79-4, with Leigh Beaumont chipping in with 4-21 it looked all but over. However, Andrew Peacock batted well for 55 runs, but Beaumont got him out in the 49th over, and they fell one run short, ending up on 174 all out.

Darlington RA move into second place, as they beat visiting Whitby by nine wickets at Brinkburn Road. The visitors totalled 182-8, with Joseph Husband top scoring on 39, while Carl McGregor took 4-61 and Dale Marshall 3-43. The home side then had Paul Freary to thank, as he made a quick 61 not out from 64 balls, to see his side home to victory on 86-1. (D/L Method).

Darlington now in third place (by 00.10 on average points), meet their local neighbours Darlington RA in second place at Feethams next Saturday, with the winners gaining promotion to the Premier League – it's winner takes all.