Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

Bank Holiday ‘Derby Day’ did not disappoint, as there were changes at the top and some bragging rights won and lost, but with three games to go, the title race is really bubbling up nicely in the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League.

New league leaders Middlesbrough travelled the short distance to take on Thornaby, and they were asked to bat first. Skipper Matthew Bell made 28, but they then collapsed to 58-5. However, 39 runs from Alfie Taylor-Clarke and 27 runs form Hassan Raza, got their team up to a respectable 172 all out, with Luke Metcalfe and Steven Purcifer each claiming three wickets apiece.

The home side were never in it, as they collapsed to 69 all out, thanks to Ahsan Shrindal who claimed 3-5, with two wickets apiece for Toby Bulcock and Matthew Bell, to win the match by 103 runs, to lead the table by just four points.

Marton are second after winning at Normanby Hall, as the hosts asked them to bat first. They struggled throughout their innings, as Abdaar Ishaq took 3-36, but Chris Veasey cracked 35 not out, from 29 balls late in the innings, which included three fours and two sixes, to get them up to 164-8.

Jordan Leech made 35 runs early on, as he got his side off to a positive start, but youngster Michael Lawrenson (3-34) made the breakthrough, with a brilliant hat-trick and then Lee Hodgson claimed 3-20, backed up by Faizan Hussain with 3-12, to win the game by 68 runs.

Champions Richmondshire are third, as they made the short trip to Barnard Castle. Barney won the toss and chose to bat first, and at 53-4, they were in a spot of bother, but skipper James Quinn steadied the ship with 68 runs from 127 balls, which included five fours and three sixes, ending up with his side scoring 182 all out, despite Steven Reeves returning figures of 4-47 and Josh Dowson 3-54.

The Dalesmen started strongly with Robert Carr making 40, but then lost three wickets quickly. However, Sam Wood with 51 not out and Matthew Cowling with 30 not out, put on an unbroken partnership of 63 runs, to guide their team home to an important victory on 186-4.

Hartlepool are fourth and are right in the mix for the title, following their win, but they were in trouble at home to Billingham Synthonia early on, as they lost wickets regularly. Jake Richardson made a decent 41, but they were all out for 124, with Thomas Wing claiming 4-36 and Ben Brown 3-24.

Ollie Mole then struck twice for Pools and Paul Braithwaite bowled brilliantly, as he claimed 6-21, to win the game for his side, as Synners were all out for 87.

Saltburn missed out on the chance to stretch their lead at the top, as they went down by six runs, at home to Marske. The visitors batted first, and they made a modest start with Jamie Hood Jnr and Tom Hewison, both getting out in their twenties. Alex Smith returned an excellent 5-43 and Lachlan Kennedy claimed 4-26 and they were eventually all out for 115.

In reply, the hosts lost early wickets, but Rami Singh with 39 and Josh Tribick with 26, steadied the ship, but then Johnathon Pickard with an excellent 5-43 and Sam Berry with 3-27, bowled their side to their first win of the season, as the title contenders crashed to 109 all out.

Great Ayton hosted local rivals Stokesley, and the visitors took first knock. Opener Andrew Weighell started the innings well with 32, but then Doug Mulholland struck with 3-27 and Martin Philpott claimed an excellent 5-24 from seven overs, to leave the visitors on 93 all out.

Ayton lost early wickets and at 44-4, the visitors were back in the game. However, a quick fire 20 from Stephen Pennock including three sixes, eased the pressure and they finished on 94-5, to win the game by five wickets.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington slip to third, as they were beaten in a low scoring match, at league leaders Stockton. They won the toss and asked the home side to bat first. Jonathan Barnes (as normal) and Oliver King were in great form with the ball, as they each took four wickets to bowl out their hosts for just 81 runs.

In reply, the Quakers also lost early wickets and at one stage were 40-6, and they never recovered and were all out for just 59, with Leigh Beaumont returning figures of 5-11 and Richard Waite 3-11, to win the game by 22 runs.