MIDDLESBROUGH and Darlington both kept in touch with the leaders in the Premier Division with victories last weekend, writes Alan Johnson.

Darlington travelled to Marske and asked the home side to take first knock. Professional Stewart Hutton and Ricky Clayton each made half-centuries with seven boundaries in the healthy Marske total of 189-9, with the wickets shared among the six bowlers.

John Glendenen then struck six boundaries in his 40, but the innings of Darren Hickey really set the reply on fire. He crashed 12 boundaries from 70 deliveries in making 78, before falling to Marske skipper Stuart McKay.

Mark Jobling joined in the assault, striking a six and five fours in his unbeaten 34, and led the Quakers to a fine seven-wicket triumph.

Hendy Bryan, Middlesbrough's West Indian professional, had a fine game at Acklam Park against Thornaby. Opening the bowling, he claimed 4-34 as the visitors were dismissed for 169.

The major contributions came from opener Neil Muldowney (62), who faced 120 deliveries, and Ian McDonald (31). Youngster James Beaumont claimed 4-62 in his 19-over spell.

Batting at number six, Bryan then struck a rapid-fire unbeaten 68 in 41 deliveries, crashing three sixes and six fours to ensure that Boro beat the weather to triumph by six wickets.

Richmond were also successful when their guests Normanby Hall made first use of the wicket and posted a respectable 195-9, largely due to a fine undefeated 106, which included seven boundaries, by opener Mark Croft. Clive Layfield claimed 3-34 in 14 overs.

A century opening partnership (107) by openers Chris Witton (57) and captain Andy Mollitt (46) then provided a solid foundation for an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 48 between the Layfield brothers. Mark added 25 and Clive 29 to help Richmond record their second victory of the season, their seven-wicket win moving them away from the foot of the table.

Leaders Saltburn were asked to take first knock when they were entertained by Darlington RA at Brinkburn Road. Paul Thomas, the home side's Australian professional bowled unchanged for 24 overs to record excellent figures of 7-63 and Paul Hague deserved better than his figures of 2-34 indicate.

Tony Bell made a fine 56 batting at number eight, but his colleagues all struggled on a bouncy wicket and were dismissed for 128.

The RA reply was soon in trouble against the bowling of Adil Ditta (3-10) and professional Rashid (2-21), and the innings was in tatters at 48-6 when rain forced the match to be abandoned as a draw.

Extras was the top scorer on 44, followed by professional Jonathan Barnes with 38, in a Northallerton score of 186-8 after their 50-over allocation at Redcar. Australian Mark Cosgrove was lively and in 12 overs claimed 5-38.

The home side, lying second in the table, were in some disarray at 128-7 when the match was abandoned as the weather intervened. Opener Martin Hood made 40 but the bowlers, with Barnes taking 3-35 in 21 overs and Luke Jarvis 3-51, were very much in control.

Hartlepool travelled to Kingsway and were indebted to Andy Holland (40) and David Lamb, who carrried his bat to make 43. They reached 186-7 after 50 overs, with Jackie Ayre taking 3-28 and veteran Harry Smurthwaite claiming a couple of wickets and a catch.

Bishop Auckland lost opener Andy Bowman cheaply but, with only 19 on the board, the rains came and the match was abandoned as a draw.

At the Welfare Ground, visitors Guisborough posted a total of 194-9 against Blackhall, with the main contributions coming from opener Graham Shaw (31) and Gary Bolton with an unbeaten 54. Stuart Morgan claimed 3-61.

The match was abandoned as draw with Blackhall on 69-1, opener Mark Hopkinson unbeaten on 34.

l First Division report on page 29.