AUSTRALIAN professional Paul Thomas produced another seven-wicket haul to inspire Darlington RA to victory by six wickets at Northallerton, writes Alan Johnson.

His second seven-wicket performance against the same opponents this season followed his seven wickets in the drawn match against Saltburn the previous Saturday.

Thomas' figures of 7-43 in 17.1 overs largely dismissed the home side for a paltry 95. Only veteran second team captain John Gregory managed double figures, making an attractive 54, including five boundaries, in only 56 balls. Opener Paul Freary scored 36 as RA won comfortably.

Thornaby batted first at Mandale Bottoms when they entertained Redcar in an interesting fixture between the two promoted clubs. An unbeaten captain's innings of 56 by Neil Marsden guided the home side to 183-9, with Mick McCabe taking 3-26.

The visitors' Australian professional Mark Higgs crashed a fine 80 runs opening and Mally Whitehead added 37 as they returned to top spot with a six-wicket win. Mark Bell bowled tidily to claim 3-15 late in the match.

Title contenders Saltburn had problems against the bowling of Pakistan professional Umer Rashid, who took 5-41 in 24 overs, as they were dismissed for 128 by visiting Richmond.

Home professional Maujashim Rashid, brother of Umer, then caused similar problems with the ball, claiming 5-43 in 18 overs as Richmond were restricted to 121-8 and the match was drawn.

At Feethams, visitors Blackhall moved into second in the league following their convincing seven-wicket victory. Darlington were asked to bat first and opener and professional John Glendenen made an unbeaten century (115) from 148 deliveries, including two sixes and seven fours. Fellow opener Mark Stainsby added 43, with five fours.

But the score of 225-5 after 50 overs was just not enough as the visitors passed their objective for the loss of three wickets against a severely weakened Quakers attack. In form openers John Darby (83) and Mark Hopkinson (68) shared a fine century partnership of 135 to set the stage for a comfortable win with three overs to spare.

Champions Bishop Auckland travelled to Fountains Garth and could only muster 90-9 as they battled against the bowling of the new Guisborough professional David Towse. Steve Chapman made a top score of 42.

Towse, a replacement for the home team's original contracted player, impressed on his debut, taking 6-37 in a marathon unchanged 25-over spell.

Guisborough romped to a nine-wicket triumph with openers Saul Clifford, who made 30 with five fours, and Graham Shaw, with six boundaries in an unbeaten 45, leading the charge.

Bottom club Normanby Hall were bowled out for 109 by visiting Marske. Captain Stuart McKay claimed 5-41 and Richie Walker 3-32. A solid 40 by opener Stewart Hutton and an undefeated 37 by Tim Hood ensured victory by eight wickets.

Hartlepool welcomed Middlesbrough to Park Drive, with the Beaumont brothers mainly responsible for a modest home total of 157-9. Each bowled 17 overs, Lee claiming 3-57 and James 4-62. John Cannon made an attractive 52.

The visitors reached their objective for the loss of four wickets to move into fourth place. James Beaumont, 16, completed a fine all-round performance as he carried his bat for 57, including six boundaries.

l First Division report on page 30