WITH a sensational batting display to win the important top-ofthe- table meeting with previously unbeaten Richmondshire, last year's champions Middlesbrough took over as new league leaders and showed the power and ambition to retain the title.

The eagerly awaited clash of the early season giants burst into life after Boro had been set what to many teams would have been a daunting chase for victory - close on 200 runs which Richmondshire had comfortably scored.

After the first 20 overs the visitors, on 74 for the loss of three wickets, still had a long way to go but then their professional, Chetnya Nanda joined opener James Lowe and the fireworks started.

Between them they smashed 121 runs from 109 balls with Nanda unbeaten on 78 having hit six fours and four sixes from 61 deliveries. Lowe finished undefeated on 69 with seven fours and Boro enjoyed victory with 11.2 overs to spare and seven wickets in hand.

In Richmondshire's well-paced innings of 194-8, James Clarkson (60) must have thought he had dealt his side a winning hand.

But Nanda, with four wickets from 21 overs, and James Beaumont, with three wickets from 15 overs, always knew they had given Boro a chance of success.

And when success came is was with a flourish as Nanda straight drove three successive sixes.

Richmondshire's defeat dropped them two places as Guisborough took a mighty leap to move to within seven points of Boro following a splendid eight wicket victory at Blackhall.

Darren Hickey hit another half century but couldn't stop the former Colliery side slumping to an all-out score of just 101 as Paul Goodchild (5-47 from 14 overs) and Neil Russell (3-30) struck vital blows. Priory professional, Greg Todd (34) made sure of the win.

Marton moved up to fourth after victory by seven wickets against Marske with Martin Hood (75 not out) and young Alex Wardell (57) sharing a partnership of 134. For Wardell it was an excellent personal triumph after being promoted up the batting order.

Earlier Ben Hutchinson (6-50) had the Seasiders in a spin after Rob Nicol (42) had again given them a good start. A late flurry of runs by Chris Shepherd (33 not out) took them to 161-8 but it was never going to be enough to worry Marton.

Redcar's professional, Tariq Aziz must be wondering what he has to do to get his team their first win of the season. He hit a truly magnificent unbeaten 134 only to see Darlington respond to score 198 and win comfortably.

Aziz hit 12 fours and 6 sixes in his superb innings, taking just 136 balls to reach what was his second century of the season.

Tom Urwin shared in a stand of 91 but it was to no avail as the Quakers pair of Doug Mulholland (60) and David Eckels (54 not out) raced to a century partnership on the way to their win.

Bishop Auckland brought to an end a worrying run of five defeats when they won, somewhat unexpectedly, at Great Ayton.

The villagers slumped to 71 for the loss of seven wickets against the bowling of the Conway twins'. Dan took four wickets in his 13 overs and Jack cleaned up three from a slightly longer spell.

But credit Matt Wilkinson (45) and Tom Crown (19) who added 58 for the eighth wicket for a tailend revival which took Ayton to 134-9. Bishops had Carl McGregor (40) and John Barker (32) in form and they grafted their way to a five wicket success to move them away from Redcar at the foot of the table.

Superb bowling provided Billingham Synthonia with one of the surprise results of the day.

They turned over the considerable batting talents of Northallerton, bowling them out for a paltry 65 runs in under 30 overs and going on to win by nine wickets. The bowling trio of Martin Cull (4-6 from 8.3 overs), Mark Bartley (3-10) and Nisal Randika (3-32) were responsible for Northallerton's decline.

Normanby Hall enjoyed one of their best days of the season in ending the unbeaten record of Hartlepool. Alan Tebbett hit 62 for Pool but they needed Peter Rhoden (31 not out) to rally them to reach 167-8 after struggling on 107-6.

Another excellent knock by professional Duminda Perera, who made an unbeaten 90 from 105 balls including 12 fours and a six, saw Normanby romp home by eight wickets. Lee Sykes (58) shared a stand of 148 with the Sri Lankan.

There was an absorbing clash between two of the championship contenders in the First Division and a win for Saltburn boosted their hopes of returning to the top division at the first attempt.

They inflicted the first defeat for two seasons on Thornaby, who are also among the favourites to regain their premiership place.

The Seasiders, relegated last year, have now won five times and have put 27 points between themselves and their main rivals.