Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Saltburn consolidated pole position when Phil Ramage led them to a comfortable victory at Redcar.

He dominated his side's innings recording three sixes and eight boundaries in 103 before being run out. But by then Saltburn were well on their way to a match-winning 230 for six. The declaration came after 48 overs.

Redcar never threatened in their reply and the innings closed following 44.4 overs with just 133 on the board.

Steve De Bolfo was their top scorer with 35 but throughout, the batsmen were well contained by the bowling of Lee Hodgson, Tim Hood and Singh.

Guisborough stay second, and it was the ever-reliable David Towse who steered the side to victory over Northallerton at Fountains Garth.

Towse struck early but Northallerton fought back through captain Ian Gill and Ian Place, who both made 31. The pair also became victims of Towse who finished with the superb figures of seven for 52 and the innings ended on 157.

Jonathan Barnes (5-71) and John Sample (4-60) reasonably contained the home batsmen, but even so, a match-winning total of 172 was posted. Gary Murray (47) and Richard Dunn with 30 led the way.

Marske started the day in third position but a super performance from Mohamed Zahid saw them crash to a heavy defeat at Normanby Hall.

Zahid just about proved unplayable and in 17 overs, including ten maidens. He also claimed six wickets for a mere 25 runs, and Marske were back in the pavilion for just 88 runs, which took them 33.1 overs to compile.

Runs were more plentiful when the Hall made first use of the wicket and their 50 overs produced 173 for eight.

David Cross top-scored with 38 while Lee Sykes and Andy Harrow both made 29.

For once, Marske's Rob Nicol failed with the bat but his 13-over spell earned him three wickets.

Darlington overtook the Great Ayton total of 193 for seven, losing just two wickets but they had only ten balls remaining.

Neil Pratt was the match-winner hitting two sixes and 17 boundaries in an unbeaten 132.

His first 50 runs came from 90 deliveries, but he needed just another 55 balls to reach his century and in all he received just 168 deliveries.

Ricky Hopwood (41) proved the ideal partner and the pair took their side to within sight of victory adding 116 for the second wicket.

Great Ayton's batsmen were also in form, none more so than Darren Hickey and John Grainge, who both contributed half centuries to the formidable total of 193 for seven achieved from 50 overs.

Pratt also had a good day with the ball for Darlington, returning 3-40 in 13 overs.

Darlington RA reached the target of 178 set by Middlesbrough at Acklam Park losing just one wicket. Zaidi batted throughout for an unbeaten 101 and David Eckels contributed 48 to the winning total.

James Beaumont (43) and Birkett with 34 gave the Boro innings a good send-off but when Zaidi and Andy Russell both took four wickets, the innings stumbled to 177 for nine.

There was an exciting conclusion at Park Drive where Billingham Synthonia won a high-scoring game by just one run.

Hartlepool were set a target of 223 and were all out for 221 as Keith Hewson captured five wickets and Martin Cull four.

Gary Tebbett batted well for 61 and Ian Jackson swung merrily, hitting four massive sixes in 31 from the ten balls he received.

Brenton McDonald hit 12 boundaries in his first 50 and had 19 fours in all out of a total of 110.

Hewson (53 not out) and Denis Wing with 32 also made valuable contributions for Synners.

There was another close finish at Kingsway where just 13 runs and one wicket separated Bishop Auckland and Richmondshire.

Mark Layfield (56) and Shanoka Dissanayake with 42 provided most of the runs in the Richmond total of 164 with Phil Timmens claiming five for 67 and Matthew Brown 3-13.

There were early setbacks for Bishops before Brown with 45 and Ben Usher (35) raised hopes. In the end the innings realised only 151 for nine.