BY MALCOLM PRATT

Saltburn, who have won five games more than any other side and command a 56-points lead at the top, enjoy the luxury of being able to field an unchanged side when they host Richmondshire in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division on Saturday.

Ruchmondshire, third from bottom cannot call upon Clive Layfield so his brother Mark is promoted from the second XI. Wicket-keeper Kevin Forbes is also included after missing the last game.

Guisborough, who have won the championship in four successive seasons, now have a lot to do if they are to topple Saltburn even though they have a game in hand on their rivals.

They visit third-top Bishop Auckland with the Murray brothers Chris and Graham both included but another brother Ryan, and Chris Allinson leave the side.

Bishops cannot call upon Paul Jenkins and Scott Oldfield, who has represented Durham County under-16s, could well make his debut. Phil Timmens is free from injury and Andrew Bowman back from holiday.

Darlington are fourth ahead of their visit to Redcar where Lee Hutton and Dale Thomas both play. Simon Whitehead is unavailable and Alex Deuchar reverts to the second team.

Redcar promote Martin Reeves and Ross Douglas since Mick McCabe and Andy Hassack are sidelined.

Darlington RA are sixth from top and confident of maintaining their good form when they line up against Hartlepool at Brinkburn Road. Colin Cartwright for Jimmy Middleton is their only alteration.

Lee Beaumont will captain Marske since Chris Nichols is out with a broken finger. Ben Walker comes in for Richard Rennard at home to second-bottom Northallerton who are pleased to have captain Ian Gill and John Place in their line-up. The pair take over from Andrew Fishburn and David Wake.

Darren Birkett will skipper Middlesbrough against Great Ayton at Acklam Park since Martin Ball is unavailable. Ayton name an unchanged line-up.

With Mel Sykes and Graham Robinson ruled out, Normanby Hall have Michael Addison and Mark Lane playing in their home fixture with Billingham Synthonia who have a full squad available.

Darlington RA were clearly in the ascendancy at close of play in their local derby with Darlington at Feethams on Saturday.

The home side were only 165 for eight at the completion of the 50 overs and were nowhere in sight of RA's formidable total of 256 for five.

Steve Chapman, with nine boundaries in 52 and Mark Jobling (30) top-performed with the bat for the home side but it was Ashar Zaidi who was undoubtedly man of the match.

He claimed three wickets for just 10 runs in eight overs and earlier plundered 127 with one six and 14 boundaries. David Eckels added 58 and there was little the Darlington attack could do to stem the flow of runs.

Steve Chapman bowled 21 overs claiming four of the five wickets to fall for 92 runs but most of the honours went to the visitors.

Billingham Synthonia threw themselves a lifeline in a bid to avoid the wooden spoon when they won for only the fourth time, defeating Normanby Hall by four wickets.

Their target was 207 and following a poor start they were indebted to 30 plus scores from Brenton McDonald, David Fairley and Keith Hewison before Simon Driver ended undefeated on 47.

Stuart McNicholas (44), Geoff Robinson with an unbeaten half century and Ramzan (31) led the Hall to 206 for eight despite Keith Martin returning five for 65 in Synners' attack.

Northallerton are just one place above Billingham after they crashed to 90 all out at home to Middlesbrough for whom Andrew Taylor took four for 29 in 5.3 overs.

The low total was meat and drink to Boro who won at a canter conceding just one wicket. The Roberts brothers, Brett (38 not out) and Alex (39 not out) formed a productive unbroken partnership for the second wicket.

Richmondshire are third from the basement and were within one wicket of clinching full points at home to Marske who were 108 for nine at stumps.

Shanoka Dissanayake bowled the full 25 overs claiming six wickets for 47 runs after Richmondshire totalled 176 for nine which included 31 by captain Andy Mollett and 40 from 30 deliveries by Martin Clark.

Spinner Lee Beaumont bowled throughout in the Marske attack returning three for 89 but it was Jonathan Nichols who was the most successful, claiming an analysis of six for 48 from 14 overs.

Saltburn extended their lead at the top when they won by five wickets at Hartlepool for whom John Cannon struck an undefeated 67 in a near-200 total.

Singh and Fazal both took four wickets before John Walker (43), Tim Hood (37 not out) and Lee Hodgson (63 not out) earned the Seasiders a five-wickets victory - their 12th so far.

Guisborough remain second but are now 56 points off the top after being held to a draw by Redcar. Imran Jan had one six and 10 boundaries in 55 leading Guisborough to 161 for seven and at close of play Redcar were 132 for six which included a half century by Martin Hood. David Towse delivered 24 overs taking four for 47.

Great Ayton drew their game with third-top Bishop Auckland. Amul Mazumdar (110) was again in outstanding form as Bishops ended on 207 for nine with Ayton 118 for eight at the completion of their overs. Thara Gunnarathne took four wickets before top-scoring with 45.