Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Guisborough are now in a position to win the championship for a fourth successive season.

They have their noses in front after defeating Marske with ease, while Northallerton, who started the day in pole position, lost heavily to Saltburn.

There was no stopping Guisborough, though, and Marske managed a mere 51 runs after labouring through no fewer than 34.4 overs.

David Towse, who struggled with an injury last week and was doubtful, showed no after effects and his 15 overs yielded 4-20.

Even more impressive was Paul Goodchild who also conceded just 20 runs in no fewer than 17 overs, nine of which were maidens. He captured three wickets.

When Guisborough batted first on the rain-affected wicket they too found it difficult and after 46.1 overs all they had to show was a total of 146.

Richard Dunn (33) and Paul Goodchild with 36 led the way and for Marske Rob Nicol returned figures of 6-47 in 19.1 overs and Stuart Mackay 3-31 from the 13 overs he delivered.

Northallerton slumped to 98 all out against Saltburn for whom Tim Hood and Umar Rashid did most of the damage sharing eight wickets.

Despite losing a couple of early wickets Saltburn were never in danger and romped home through an unbroken partnership for the third wicket between Paul Ramage (38 not out) and man-of-the-match Hood who ended unbeaten with a half century.

Guisborough are 12 points in front of Northallerton and 16 ahead of third-placed Bishop Auckland who defeated Redcar by eight wickets.

Phil Timmens and Richard Hawthorne shared the Bishops attack and following 40.3 overs the visitors were back in the pavilion for only 113. Timmens took 7-46 and Hawthorne 3-59.

Amul Mazumdar, who has enjoyed a good season, then hit four boundaries in an unbeaten 38 and Ben Usher contributed 46 with one six and four fours.

Blackhall are 24 points from safety at the bottom of the table after losing by seven wickets to Middlesbrough. Brett Roberts and Brenton Parchment shared nine wickets as the Colliers collapsed to 102 all out which included 33 by John Darby.

Despite losing Parchment early to Richard Watts, Boro never looked back and Colin Haslett steered them to success with an undefeated 38.

Darlington RA were shot out for just 37 by Hartlepool at Park Drive. Ashley Day proved almost unplayable and in 11.5 overs, he claimed seven wickets for a meagre ten runs. Ian Jackson gave support with 2-25 from the other end.

Batting first, Pools ended on 169 from 48.2 overs. Richie Evans top-scored with 36, striking four boundaries and for RA, James Middleton, introduced as fourth-change, claimed five wickets for just 13 runs in 6.2 overs.

Darlington piled up 220-3 in 50 overs but failed to secure victory over Great Ayton at Feethams.

Neil Pratt was just a couple of runs short of a century, having hit two sixes and ten fours before he was stumped.

Steve Chapman added 49 and Ayton responded with 116-7 in an innings reduced to 39 overs because of rain.

John Doyle was their top scorer with 38 and for Darlington, both Paul Raine and James Alderson took three wickets.

Richmondshire consolidated fifth place defeating Normanby Hall by five wickets. Mark Cross with 36 was the best that the Hall could produce in a total of 141-8 as Shanoka Dissanayake took six of their wickets for only 36 runs.

The visitors made early inroads into the Richmond reply but Andy Mollitt (47 not out) led the team to victory.