Richmondshire still rule the roost at the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, but their lead reduced to 14 points, with three games remaining. Marton, in second place, claimed a maximum 25 points from their home game with Hartlepool.

The Dalesmen were comfortable six-wicket winners at home to Stokesley, as the visitors made just 120 all out. Steven Reeves was man of the match, claiming 4-23 with the ball and then 44 not out in their 121-4.

Darlington are in deep trouble at the bottom. They are now 13 points adrift in second bottom place and went down heavily at Great Ayton by 10 wickets, with Joe Marsay in explosive form, claiming 5-24 from 11 overs, while Cameron Delport chipped in with 3-12, in a total of 51 all out.

In reply, the home side had Delport, this time with the bat, scoring 30 not out for an easy win, finishing on 52-0, to claim 20 valuable points in their own fight against relegation.

Barnard Castle did their Quaker neighbours a favour, as they trounced bottom club Seaton Carew at Hornby Park.

Robert Dixon blew them away, as he claimed a brilliant 8-34 from 11.2 overs, and they were all out for 60. James Wainman then made 28 runs, as Barney cruised to an eight-wicket win, closing on 61-2.

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Burnmoor moved 29 points clear at the top as they hammered Whitburn by 137 runs. Batting first they totalled 204-8 declared, thanks to opener Allan Worthy who made 80 and Ryan Pringle 51, while Marc Symington added a useful 31.

Craig Stephenson came on first change and took 5-21, from 6.3 overs to claim 30 crucial title points, with three games to go.

The perfect result for the leaders was Chester-le-Street winning at South North after the home side decided to bat first.

Ollie McGee made 41 and Jacques Do Toit a careful 56 from 69 balls, while James Miller made a breezy 35 not out, in 207-7, with Ben Whitehead claiming 4-56.

Chester batted well, but it went down to the wire.

Opener Jacob McCann made 45, as he put on 62 runs for the first wicket with skipper John Coxon. However, the star was Quentin Hughes who made 52 from 71 balls who timed his innings well, as they squeezed home on 208-8 with just four balls remaining.

Sacriston travelled to Felling and were asked to bat first. Solomon Bell was in good form, as he made 86 from 83 balls, which included 15 fours. Will Gidman made 71 as they posted 240-8.

In reply, the home side lost two early wickets, but then Dale Shaw made 117 from 113 balls, which included 17 fours and three sixes. Will Gidman took 5-29 and Craig Robertson chipped in with 3-38, in 187 all out.

Hetton Lyons entertained Eppleton and decided to bat first. Jarvis Clay batted well with 76 and then Chris Martin made 100 not out, in a final score of 261-6 declared.

The visitors were solid at the top of their order with Marcus Brown scoring 31 and Tyler Easton, but then lost wickets regularly and were all out for 190. Cameron Grimwood was the star bowler, claiming 5-31 from 14.4 overs.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League leaders Lanchester travelled to Newcastle City, and although the home side started reasonably well, Callum Barnes took 4-36, Kieran Gohery 3-24 and Kieron Taylor 3-3, as they slumped to 93 all out.

In reply, Dan Nicotra scored 48 and fellow opener Graham Brinton 34 not out, as they put on 69 runs of the first wicket, to record an easy win with 96-1.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, Easington drew at Seaham Park. The visitors posted 233-7, thanks to Kavindu Kulasekara hitting 71 and Omar Shahid 45, alongside David Tarn who also scored 45, while John Sample claimed 3-69.

In reply, the home side were in with a chance as long as Adrian Hedley stayed at the crease, but he went for 70 as they claimed the draw on 192-6.

Horden lost at Whiteleas in the big game at the bottom, beaten by massive 162 runs. They piled up 204-9, thanks to Usman Arshad scoring 56 and Chris Nichol 59, with Scott Birks and Adam Dixon claiming three wickets each.

The visitors collapsed to 42 all out, with Arshad claiming 5-23 while Victor Spencer took 5-18 for a 29 crucial points.