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Title getting closer for runaway leaders Boro
N Yorks/S Durham Middlesbrough could be just three wins away from retaining the championship after increasing their lead over second-placed Guisborough on another rain-hit weekend.
Boro were involved in one of only two games to be played while their main rivals never got out of the pavilion and lost further ground which, with just six games remaining, could make their title challenge a touch more difficult.
Boro's good fortune with Saturday's weather led to a reduced overs game with Richmondshire, but it didn't stop them showing their usual outstanding form as first Paul Johnston (43) and James Lowe (36) shared in an opening stand of 76 from 16 overs and then Kyle Coetzer (76no) and Adil Ditta (66no) smashed 149 from the remaining 126 balls.
Coetzer, in only his third game for the club since becoming their English professional, made his last 50 runs from just 24 balls.
Overall he hit five fours and four sixes and faced 67 balls.
Ditta, who hit eight boundaries, scored at more than a run a ball.
Having set a total of 230-2, they looked to be set for victory when they took Richmond's first two wickets for just eight runs and had four out for only 57.
But Shanuka Dissanayake
(83 no) and Andrew Fleming (57no) staged a remarkable recovery sharing an unbroken stand of 121 to reach 178-4.
Dissanayake, the visitors' professional, faced just 77 balls but hit 42 in boundaries while Fleming was the less adventurous despite reaching his half century from 70 balls, including eight fours.
Boro got the extra bonuses in the drawn finish which extended their advantage as league leaders to 48 points.
In the only other game to beat the rain, two of the bottom three clubs met and it proved a good day for Normanby Hall, who were abloe to ease their relegation worries.
They had the better of a drawn game with Hartlepool after overcoming the shock of losing of four wickets without a run being scored to eventually go on and post 160-9.
In Pool's reply of 100-8, Keith Martin (5-52) and Geoff Robinson (3-40) bowled throughout but with the innings reduced to 35 overs could not quite manage the victory push for Normanby.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
