IT was a weekend of mixed fortunes for both leaders Saltburn and nearest rivals Redcar as the Premier Division balance of power shifted back and forth.

Redcar moved to the head of the table on Saturday with a six-wicket win over Darlington as Saltburn lost at home to Middlesbrough. But the next day, Saltburn returned to the top with victory at Northallerton while Redcar were beaten by local rivals Marske.

Redcar's weekend began brightly as they chased visiting Darlington's total of 202-8, due mainly to opener Mark Stainsby's 39 and another large stand between skipper Gary Moody (44) and Mark Jobling (39). Mark Cosgrove claimed 3-52 in his 13-over spell and Higgs and McCabe each took two wickets.

The home side set off at a cracking pace and openers Mark Higgs (58, including a six and nine fours) and Martin Hood shared a rapid stand to set them on the way to a six-wicket win. Cosgrove made 47, including a six and five fours and Graham Bowen's 40 also included a six and seven other boundaries.

But Redcar's fortunes changed once again on Sunday when they were summarily dismissed by Marske for only 54. Tim Hood was the chief destroyer, taking 6-24 in his 13 overs, and Richie Rennard claimed 3-16, also in 13 overs.

The home side were comfortable winners by nine wickets and continue to have a great say in the destiny of the championship.

On Saturday, Middlesbrough travelled to Saltburn and set the pacesetters an objective of 156-8 after Amer Ditta made 38 and West Indian professional Hendy Bryan 31.

The home side struggled all the way and were dismissed for 123 and a 33-run defeat as Bryan claimed 5-77 and left-armer Lee Beaumont bowled 17.1 accurate overs for excellent figures of 4-23.

But Saltburn returned to the top on Sunday with a seven-wicket victory at Northallerton, who were dismissed for 102 when Adil Ditta claimed 6-17 in his ten overs and professional Maujashim Rashid returned 3-36 in 19.1 overs. Opener Ian Place made a top score of 38.

Openers John Bond (30) and Tony Bell (34no) were top scorers for Saltburn as they opened up a 13-point gap at the top of the table.

Third-placed Middlesbrough were unable to follow up their win at Saltburn when their match against Blackhall at Acklam Park was abandoned with the visitors on 128-2. Professional Michael Foster had scored 84 from 79 balls when he opened proceedings.

A similar fate befell Guisborough at Fountains Garth where Thornaby were their guests. Phil Ramage made a top score of 45 for the home side, but the match was abandoned with the total on 101-4.

On Saturday, Guisborough slumped to 126 all out at home to Normanby Hall, who enjoyed their third win of the season by seven wickets after opener Mark Croft made an unbeaten 82.

Sunday's local derby at Brinkburn Road was drawn after rain reduced RA's allocation to 21 overs in reply to Darlington's 151-7. They had made 60-4 when the match ended.

Darlington RA had beaten Bishop Auckland by eight wickets at Kingsway the previous day in a match reduced to 48 overs per side. Australian professional Paul Thomas returned excellent figures of 7-64 as the home side slumped to 131 all out then openers Ged Hull (39) and Paul Freary (63) shared a fine opening partnership of 94 to pave the way to victory.

On Sunday, opener Andy Bowman (60) made the top score for Bishops as they crumbled again to 138-8 at home to Normanby Hall, who won by four wickets.

Hartlepool slipped to 128-9 at Park Drive on Sunday against Richmondshire, whose Pakistani professional Umer Rashid again produced a match-winning performance, taking 6-51 in his unchanged 25-over spell. Chris Witton (61) and captain Andy Mollitt (56) were not parted as Richmond won comfortably by ten wickets to move off the foot of the table.

On Saturday, Richmondshire set visitors Marske a target of 210 all out as Rashid made a cracking 81 and shared a fine third-wicket partnership of 155 with Mollitt (83). Marske were then restricted to 116-9.

Northallerton made 186-8 against Blackhall on Saturday, thanks largely to professional Jonathan Barnes (59) and Barnaby Heap (49). The visitors then closed on 146-8.

At Mandale Bottoms, Hartlepool made 184-9 against Thornaby, who made 125-8 in reply.

l See page 30 for Division One report.