Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: The way Redcar swept aside Marske on Saturday suggests they will take some stopping in the race for the championship.

Their performance, especially at the wicket, was breathtaking. And the fairly formidable target of 201 set by their neighbours was met in just 38.4 overs as Martin Hood and Dulip Samaraweera competently dealt with everything which was bowled at them.

Hood stroked 12 boundaries in an unbeaten 87 while Samaraweera finished undefeated on 97 with 15 fours.

It was Redcar's best batting display for many a day.

Marske's batsmen were also in form when they made first use of the wicket. John Wiltshire (37) and Tim Hood, who recorded nine boundaries in a half century, added 79 for the first wicket and when Ryan Lazenby hit 38, the 200 figure was achieved for the loss of nine wickets.

Mike McCabe bowled throughout and in 25 overs, returned 4-94 in the Redcar attack while Samaraweera conceded just 46 runs in 19 overs for four wickets.

Guisborough maintained their narrow lead over Redcar when they overtook the Middlesbrough total of 201-7 at Acklam Park with just two wickets remaining.

It was by no means easy going though, but when the visitors were in difficulties vice captain Gary Bolton came to the rescue with a timely innings of 37.

Johnny May's 59 was another vital contribution as a crucial victory was achieved with just a couple of balls remaining.

An economical ten-over spell, which earned Brenton Parchment figures of 3-29, nearly swung the game Boro's way and it was Parchment who led the home side's innings.

He recorded a six and 12 fours making the game's top score of 74 while Colin Haslett, who went in at number three, ended unbeaten on 52. Opener Mark Croft added a valuable 37 and for Guisborough, Richard Dunn took four wickets at a cost of 93 runs in 16 overs.

Saltburn are third after seeing off the challenge from Blackhall by a nine-wickets margin. Brothers Mauhtashim and Umer Rashid shared seven wickets and John Boardman took three as the Colliers were back in the pavilion for a modest 127.

The Seasiders were never in danger when they replied. Tony Bell opened the innings and was still there when victory was achieved, unbeaten on 55.

Paul Ramage made 33 before having to retire but Ditta (32 not out) and Bell easily completed the task.

Bishop Auckland are fourth but 34 points adrift of the leaders.

Their latest success came against Richmondshire who they surprisingly bowled out for only 83, the lowest score of the day.

Paul Timmens was the architect claiming seven wickets for a mere 27 runs after Bishops had totalled 219-6.

Richard Hawthorne opened with 40, but it was Amul Mazumbar who gave the innings momentum and he was only four runs short of a century when the overs expired. Hiran Marambe celebrated his return to the side adding a useful 37.

Darlington gained a welcome victory at the expense of Hartlepool at Feethams. Simon Guy, who starred keeping wicket for Yorkshire against Durham at Riverside last week, was a batting hero this time, making 83 of a third-wicket partnership of 135 with Mark Jobling (64).

Although Darlington had six wickets in hand there were just four deliveries remaining when the Hartlepool of 201-5 was overtaken.

Stephen Chapman was again in good form for Pool hitting six boundaries out of 88 and he was well supported by Paul Jackson with 38 and John Cannon, who struck 32.

Northallerton eased their problems near the bottom of the table, defeating Darlington RA by six wickets. Skipper David Eckels (40) and Andrew Chisholm, whose 62 included a six and eight boundaries, put together a useful stand for the second wicket, which was the basis of RA's 200-6.

Doug Mulholland bowled 12 overs returning 3-44 and there was another lengthy spell from Jonathan Barnes, who then became Northallerton's match-winner with the bat.

The home side were in trouble when their first three batsmen totalled only ten runs between them.

Jerry Hall (30) retrieved the position and found a partner in Barnes. When Hall departed, it was the stand between Barnes, whose unbeaten 73 included a six and nine fours and Ian Gill, with a couple of sixes and three fours in 44 not out, which won the day for Northallerton.

Normanby Hall remain at the basement after losing by five wickets to second-bottom Thornaby. It looked as if the Hall had given themselves a chance of at least saving the game when they posted 186-6, which included 56 by Ahmed and 58 not out from David Cross.

Five of the wickets were taken by Jonathan Nichols for 50 runs before Hrishikesh Kanitkar led Thornaby to an important victory with an impressive 84. Steel gave support contributing 45 to the second-wicket partnership.