Guisborough will make history if they clinch the premier division championship tomorrow.

Even if their only challengers Bishop Auckland win at Hartlepool, Guisborough need just four points from their final game of the season at Darlington RA to clinch a fourth successive title.

Only two clubs have achieved the magnificent feat since the league was formed in 1893. Darlington celebrated between 1920-23 and Guisborough did so during 1909-12, so they could become the first side to win four successive championships on two occasions.

They are without Imran Jan and Graham Murray, who are replaced by Will Wyatt and Ryan Murray. "It is the biggest game of the season for us and, although we only require four points, we will still need to show a positive attitude at Brinkburn Road," warned chairman Dave Norminton.

Bishop Auckland sign off against Hartlepool at Park Drive and director of cricket Paul Furby accepts it will take a miracle for his side to finish in pole position.

"Obviously, we will be going all out to win, but Guisborough are very much in the driving seat. We have played some good cricket in the last couple of months, but have not enjoyed the best of luck with the toss, which is important," said Furby, who is pleased with the improvement shown by a number of young players.

Hartlepool show two changes to their line up with John Cannon and Dean Burrows taking over from Alan Tebbett and Peter Rhoden.

Northallerton, who have led the table several times this season, will now have to settle for a top four position. They end at Redcar where Jonathan Barnes, who has enjoyed another marvellous season, could end with 100 wickets to his credit.

Ian Place and John Sample are unavailable, while Redcar name Robbie Whelan for Shaun McGarry.

Guisborough took another step towards the title with an emphatic victory over Normanby Hall in their penultimate game.

The Hall batsmen laboured through 50 overs making only 114-9 as David Towse conceded only 40 runs in yet another hugely economical 25-over spell. He bowled no fewer than 12 maidens and claimed three wickets.

Imran Jan gave support with 3-29 from eight overs and Paul Goodchild maintained his impressive form with figures of 2-37.

Although Saul Clifford and Richard Dunn went relatively cheaply, Jan and Stephen Pennock led their side to victory in 22 overs. Jan ended unbeaten on 56, hitting a couple of sixes and five boundaries, while Pennock was 24 not out.

Bishop Auckland kept alive their slim hopes and at the same time consigned Blackhall to the wooden spoon.

John Darby (33), Paul Webster (34) and Graham Bell (41) enabled the Colliers to make a respectable 172 from 46.2 overs. Ben Usher was the most successful bowler in the visiting attack, returning 3-63 from 14 overs.

Usher then played a major role in his team's six-wicket victory, which was achieved after only 37.4 overs.

Openers Richard Hawthorne (45) and Amul Mazumdar (40) gave the innings a perfect start and the task was completed by Usher, whose 51 not out included a couple of sixes and four boundaries.

Blackhall end bottom and await their fate, which is dependent on who wins the division one championship and whether their facilities meet the criteria for promotion to the premier division.

Northallerton dropped back to third when they gained just ten points from their game at Great Ayton.

Darren Hickey and Thara Gunnaratne both contributed half-centuries and Andrew Doyle 38 to Ayton's total of 182-9 despite Jonathan Barnes again producing form, taking 7-66.

Northallerton's reply gained momentum when Barnes (44) and Ian Gill (27) were together, but when time was called they were only 179-9, eight runs short of a winning margin, but with their last pair at the wicket.

Marske escaped the possibility of relegation when they won for only the fourth time, defeating Darlington RA with consummate ease.

Richie Rennard made his maiden century, recording 13 boundaries from the 115 deliveries he received. Gary Lynch added 61 with two sixes and eight fours and a total of 257-6 was posted from only 50 overs.

RA were then all out in 30.2 overs for only 115, which included 56 by Phil Crowther. Rob Nicol and Stuart Mackay shared seven wickets in the Marske attack.

Darlington overtook the Middlesbrough total of 205-6 with three wickets and five balls remaining. Neil Pratt, with 15 fours out of 81, and Lee Hutton (61no) added 100 for the fourth wicket. Six of the seven wickets to fall were taken by Mattie Connelly for 66 runs in 14 overs.

When they made first use of the wicket, Middlesbrough's openers Brenton Parchment and Darren Birkett both contributed half-centuries, while Stephen Chapman was in form with the ball for Darlington, taking 5-41 from 14 overs.

Redcar had the better of neighbours Saltburn, winning by seven wickets. Neil Russell (69no) and Mohammed Qureshi (72) were the match-winners when the Saltburn total of 165-8 was overtaken for the loss of just three wickets. Umar Rashid (75) provided the backbone of the Saltburn total and Qureshi took 5-60 for Redcar.

Richmondshire lost by nine wickets at Hartlepool, for whom Michael Gough scored an unbeaten 80 in his team's 149-1. Earlier, Mark Layfield contributed 51 to the Richmond score of 148-8.

* More cricket news on pages 27 and 29.