Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

CHAMPIONS Richmondshire were denied victory by a dogged innings from Jon Grainge, scoring 69 from 157 balls and Doug Mulholland made 41, to claim the draw on 169-9, despite 4-20 from Ajay Mandal with the ball.

The Dalesmen had earlier made 261-3 declared, with skipper Reece Carr scoring 125 not out from 142 balls, which included 14 fours and a six. Gary Pratt added 42, and then Ajay Mandal added 77 from 63 balls on debut.

Middlesbrough started their season, with a draw at Billingham Synthonia. James Lowe made an excellent century of 115 not out, which included 14 fours and then Cole Pearce hit 81, as they put on 157 runs for the second wicket, in a total of 270-6.

In reply, Synners made a solid start as opener Ben Brown scored 51 and Christopher Atkinson 30, as they put on 75 runs for the first wicket. Boro then had Lowe on to bowl and he took three wickets, but the home side held on at 168-5.

Marton started off the season with a nine wicket victory, as they beat Marske at home. Alex Wardell took 4-40, with Michael Lawrenson cleaning up the tail with 3-9, as the Seasiders crumbled to 92 all out. Lee Hodgson then dominated with the bat scoring 68 not out from 60 balls, which included seven fours and four sixes and claimed the 20 points for his side.

Normanby Hall only made 111 all out, at home to Stokesley. Andrew Weighell claimed an excellent 5-31, while Rashad Rashid top scored with 32. The visitors then scored the required runs, as Jonny Weighell hit 53 not out, from 43 balls, to win the game by seven wickets on 114-3.

Hartlepool had an excellent win at Barnard Castle. They made 242-8, with Harry Crawshaw making 59 and Neil Whitworth 48, as they put on 113 runs for the third wicket. George Relton added 45, while Robert Dixon took 3-66 with the ball.

Barney struggled and slumped to 83-5, despite opener James Clarkson making 47 and Karl Carver 38. Paul Braithwaite was the bowling hero, as he took 4-37, alongside Yash Vagadia who chipped in with 3-45, as the home side were all out for 174.

Saltburn had the better of their game at home to Thornaby, following a winning draw. Batting first they amassed 249-9, with Liam Crooks (35no) and Jack Almond (23no), putting on 50 runs for the last wicket, while Luke Gettings claimed 4-33 with the ball. In reply, Thornaby held on at 131-9, despite Alex Smith doing his best in taking 4-25.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington travelled to Guisborough and had a narrow win by two wickets. The home side batted first and made 162 all out, with Neil Russell top scoring with 34 runs, while Jonathan Barnes, Oliver King and Grant Sowerby each took three wickets. The Quakers then had opener James Sutton to thank, as he made 53 and Andrew Peacock 37, in a final total of 163-8.

Darlington RA welcomed Seaton Carew to Brinkburn Road, and the visitors took the points with the narrowest of margins – one run. Jack Stonehouse scored 40 for the Seasiders, as Dale Marshall claimed 4-51 in a total of 141 all out. RA struggled at first, but 52 from Carl McGregor gave them a chance until Joseph Cushlow took three quick wickets, as the home side finished on 140 all out.