Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League

BUBBLY Barnard Castle continued in record breaking mood as they climbed closer to the league summit, and while they sit closely behind Marske and Richmondshire in third place their batting has reached outstanding heights that have never been experienced before.

Saturday's team total of 313 was the highest ever scored by them in the Premier Division and it followed another historic moment, the 203-run stand by century makers Karl Turner and Lachlan Pfeffer the week before.

Team-mates James Quinn and Richard Borrowdale, who were the latest to hit hundreds at the weekend, would have gone into the record book had they hit one more boundary. But the week old individual record stood firm despite Quinn hitting 109 and his fourth wicket partner finishing with 106.

Barney ultimately polished off Hartlepool, one of the early championship pacemakers, who they bowled out for just 131, with skipper James Finch (6-46) enjoying a season-best return from ten overs. Quinn hit 14 fours and three sixes in a run-a-ball chase but was outpaced by Borrowdale who needed just 81 balls for his whirlwind knock which featured 70 in boundaries. Their stand was worth 200 and the final score posted was 313 for 7.

Marske moved above Richmond after taking advantage of a 25-point win over Middlesbrough at Acklam Park in which skipper Lee Hodgson produced his second century of the season. His unbeaten 134 included a 93-run stand with Saeed Bin Nasir, who made 38 before being run out.

Marske totalled 225-6 with Hodgson's 145-ball knock, including 15 fours and three sixes, overcoming the loss of his opening partner with the total on just nine. But the visiting captain showed his power as a bowler, too, coming into his attack at a vital time to take two wickets for just nine runs in 42 deliveries. Jonathan Pickard (3-25) was also key to the success as Boro were sent packing for 155, 70 runs short, despite an excellent contribution of 73 from Adil Ditta.

A stand worth a bright and breezy 140 runs saw Richmondshire get the better of Norton and they'd have remained joint top of the leaderboard if they had not decided to field first after winning the toss, thus denying themselves the opportunity to pick up the extra points.

The success of the Dalesmen was largely down to Craig Marshall, who took four wickets, and Gary Pratt who was unbeaten on 86. His 114-ball knock with 12 fours was in partnership with Rob Carr, whose unbeaten 57 came from 61 balls with nine fours and a six following the loss of three of their top batsmen for just 24 runs. Two were run out.

Stokesley have played a game more than their main rivals having won the postponed match from the season's first weekend, and they followed this with another success over Billingham Synthonia. Doug Mulholland hit the jackpot with seven wickets and his skipper Andrew Weighell took the day's batting honours with a match winning 73 runs.

The Synners grabbed 174-9, their best since being promoted, with 80 for 'pro' Alston Bobb in a partnership of 129 with Adam Greenwell (54). Mulholland's best-of-the-season wicket haul cost him 55 runs over 15 overs but Stokesley lost their first two wickets for only eight runs to bring panic to the ranks before the always reliable Weighell set up the victory.

Great Ayton stayed in the top six after a hard fought win over Darlington (178-5) with Liam Coates making an unbeaten 83 to top score from 109 balls. The villagers needed an 81-run partnership between Wally Ghauri (48 not out) and Lewis Harper (44) to turn the tables and their six wicket success was hard earned.

And there were smiles galore among Seaton Carew players after they leap-frogged Guisborough by inflicting a 41-run defeat on them at the Priory ground. Martin Skirving (50 not out) and David McAllister (31) shared a 60-run partnership before literally running out of batting partners. Four were run out and four others became scalps of home pro Chris Nicholls as Seaton slumped to 117 all out.

But Guisborough suffered even worse fate as they were bowled out for a paltry 76. Paul Braithwaite (3-6 from three overs) and John Fitzpatrick (3-11 in 6.3 overs) caused the havoc after Stuart Lobb's 11 overs had conceded just ten runs and produced nine maidens!