Saltburn did their Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division championship hopes no harm at all when they inflicted a first defeat of the season on equally fancied Bishop Auckland.

Bishops' total of 232-4 looked at least defendable but Saltburn, and Adil Ditta in particular, rose to the occasion. Ditta ended unbeaten on 105 which together with a timely 45 from Richard Storr swept the Seasiders to a crucial six-wicket victory.

Richard Hawthorne led the visitors' innings with 54 and there were useful contributions from Amul Mazumdar (42) before Ben Usher (40 not out) and Paul Timmens (45 not out) produced a productive unbroken partnership.

Northallerton remain at the top and after two successive defeats they gained a good draw out of Great Ayton. Jonathan Barnes was undefeated on 97 and Albert Aurelius contributed 33 to the home side's total of 228-4.

Great Ayton's response never threatened but an undefeated 55 by David Grainge saw them safely to 177-7 at stumps.

Darlington won for only the second time in eight outings, defeating Richmondshire by 32 runs. Gary Moody struck nine boundaries in 80 and Stephen Chapman (62) and Mark Jobling with 51 propelled the Feethams side to 232-5.

Shanoka Dissanayake bowled throughout in the Richmond attack, claiming 3-101.

Adam Smith opened the visitors' reply recording four sixes and ten fours in a century but he still finished on the losing side when the innings closed at 200 as Chapman took five wickets for 66 runs.

Marske moved off the bottom and did so in style when they hit Blackhall with a ten-wicket defeat. Following his unbeaten 103 on Saturday, Rob Nicol was again undefeated with 104 and he struck 15 boundaries from 119 balls.

Nick Coverdale gave admirable support, contributing 80 not out to Marske's winning reply of 204 without loss.

Daniel Shurben scored his fourth century in five visits to the crease when he and captain Allan Worthy both reached three figures as Chester-le-Street posted 264-3 declared in the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League game against Philadelphia.

But Phili, who made a poor start to the season, completed a good weekend when they responded with 220-7 which included an unbeaten 61 by Mike Elliott and 32 from James Davidson.

Durham Academy moved to the top of the table when they took 29 points from their game at Gateshead Fell where Mark Stoneman and Kyle Coetzer both made half centuries in their side's total of 239-5.

Blaydon maintained their challenge, overtaking Tynemouth's 224-7 losing just one wicket. Paul Underwood (94) and Ian Somerville (85 not out) were in scintillating form.

So too was Nicky Beall who contributed 100 to Norton's 242-5 but neighbours Stockton battled back with 208-7 which included a top-scoring unbeaten 57 by Chris Hooker.

The Readers Durham County League leaders Evenwood quickly completed an eight-wicket victory over Etherley. John Maughan and Deighton Butler shared nine wickets reducing the visitors to 78 before the task was completed by Billy Teesdale with 41 and Chris Peareth (35 not out).

Kimblesworth overtook Crook Town and are second after defeating their rivals by seven wickets. Despite making 102, Andy Burgess finished on the losing side as Michael Fishwick (78 not out) and Adam Cochrane with 48 steered Kimblesworth to victory.

Langley Park's batsmen continued in fluent form against Brandon whose 158-7 was overtaken when Mike Britton finished with 65 not out and John Smith contributed 52 to a seven-wicket victory.

Darren Brown (50) and Karl Brown (46) led Willington to a match-winning 225-6 at home to Mainsforth who replied with 183 which included 87 by Robert Chismon and 77 from Carl Dargue.

Shahid Anwar had a good game for Tudhoe claiming five wickets and hitting a half century, as did Simon Davies in a seven-wicket victory at Sedgefield.

Hetton Lyons remain at the top of the Federation Special Durham Senior League after beating South Shields by eight wickets. Shields always struggled against the accurate Hetton attack and did well to reach 152.

Hetton Lyons had few problems with Mark Hopkinson (75 not out) and Gerry Strydom (48) scoring freely.

Burnmoor returned to winning ways against Whitburn. After Ashley Thorpe (58) and Chris Ellison (47) added 61 together, Whitburn then produced a dramatic collapse. They lost the last seven wickets for just ten runs with Ian Conn doing most damage taking 5-47.

Burnmoor then raced to victory. Mark Benfield (98 not out) and Barry Dews (42 not out) needed just 96 minutes to end Whitburn's agony.

Horden's game with Eppleton was abandoned due to fog. Shaun Birbeck (76 not out) and Lee Welch (55) added 107 together as Eppleton totalled 179. With the champions on 57-6, the game was brought to a premature close.