RICHMONDSHIRE climbed into second place in the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League following a win at Middlesbrough.

Skipper Gary Pratt was in no mood to hang around in the weather and batted brilliantly to claim the victory. Earlier Boro made 140 all out, thanks to old bot Steven Reeves who claimed 3-25, although Yash Vagadia made 30 and Hassan Raza 36.

Gary Pratt then cut loose and smashed 85 not out, from just 56 balls, which included 16 fours and two sixes, the second of which finished the game, to claim the 20 points, from just 20 overs, while opener Robert Carr added 36, in a total of 146-1.

In a revised game due to the weather, champions Barnard Castle won by six wickets at home to Hartlepool, to claim third place. Pools opener James Lowe was in brilliant form, as he scored 152 from 145 balls, which included 18 fours and four sixes, in a total of 274-8. Charlie Scott then added 39, with Finn Usher claiming 3-72 and skipper James Quinn returned 4-57 with the ball.

Barney had skipper James Quinn to thank with the bat as well, scoring a quick-fire 57 from 37 balls, which included seven fours and a six and then Pat Roberts added 40 not out from 25 balls, to win the game.

Darlington were denied potential victory by the rain, as they welcomed Seaton Carew to Feethams. The Quakers made 170 all out against some tight bowling, as David Storey claimed 4-42 and Neil Whitworth 3-32, to have the visitors on top. Tom Hewison with 33, Liam Coates 30 and skipper Paul Freary made 45 not out, but the game had to be abandoned.

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Sacriston lost early wickets at Eppleton, when they decided to bat first.

However, Matthew Potts led the recovery with an excellent century (110), with 13 fours and two sixes, while opener Will Gidman scored 33, in a final total of 211-8 declared. However, the rain came down heavy and the game had to be abandoned.

Hetton Lyons decided to bat first at Benwell Hill and made good progress, with Karl Turner striking 50 and Johnathan Malkin 39 not out, as they put on 54 for the second wicket. Callum Harding returned 3-27, before the rain came and the game had to be abandoned.

Chester-le-Street hosted Felling at Ropery Lane and invited the visitors to bat first. They totalled 205-9, as Edward Hurst made 56 and Brydon Carse 32, putting on 45 runs for the fourth wicket, while John Harrison claimed 3-31, with the ball, but this game was also lost to the weather.

In Division 1 of the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Lanchester are second, as they welcomed Ryton, and the visitors batted well scoring 206-7, thanks to Syed Ali who made 91 from 113 balls, which included 13 fours and a six, while Chris Robb added 39, as they put on 114 runs for the first wicket. Lochlan Young-Hall then added 42 not out, while Kieron Gohery claimed 3-27. However, the match fell to the weather as the rain moved in.

Annfield Plain racked up 231-7, as they welcomed Percy Main. David Newstead made 72 not out, from 114 balls, which included 11 fours and a six, while David Baxter smashed 65 from just 67 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. On the bowling front Phillip Cramman claimed 5-74, from his 12 overs. However, the game had to be abandoned after 43 overs because of the rain.

Leadgate are up to third in Division 2, following a win at Tillside. The home side made 147 all out, thanks to 57 runs from Liam Hindmarsh, as Graham Hubber took a terrific 5-39 with the ball. In reply the visitors made the required runs, scoring 148-2, with opener Robbie Hockaday hitting 77 from 63 balls and Luke McCabe scored 53 not out, for an eight-wicket win.

The whole cricket programme was badly hit by the weather, and Readers Durham Cricket League Division One leaders Easington had to settle for a draw at Whiteleas. The home side had made 168-4, with Adam Shaw scoring 47 and Rameez Nawaz 52 not out, when the rain came along.

Tudhoe had scored 146-6 at Seaham Park, when the game was abandoned. Daniel Thexton had made 42 not out and Virat Singh and John Sample had each taken two wickets, when the rain intervened.

The bottom two clubs met as Horden welcomed Ushaw Moor in the Readers Durham Cricket League, Division One, and in a low scoring game the visitors batted first, but made just 80 all out. John Southeran top scored with 22, but Lewis Broom stole the show, claiming an excellent 5-40.

Ushaw were not done though and they pushed the home side all the way, as Scott Nattrass (4-38) and Stephen Hancock (4-24), put them under real pressure. However, Horden claimed their first win of the season, as they squeezed over the line, making 81-8, with Broom top scoring with the bat (15no).