WITH only seven points separating leaders Northallerton from second-placed Guisborough and just 100 points still to play for, the race for the championship could hardly be closer.

Northallerton host fourth-placed Saltburn tomorrow and will be hoping to win the toss, having called correctly in only one of their last nine games. Albert Aurelius for the unavailable Gerry Hall is their only change.

Guisborough welcome the return of Johnny May, who replaces Chris Murray at Marske. Despite the outstanding form with bat and ball of professional Rob Nicol, Marske are second from bottom and just as desperate for points as their visitors.

Middlesbrough aim to regain winning form at basement side Blackhall, where Andrew Taylor takes over from Darren Birkett. The Colliers welcome the return of Mohamed Fazal and other changes see the inclusion of Billy Dawson and Anthony Grey for Paul Moss and Ricky Darwin.

After winning both games last weekend, Darlington RA go to Hartlepool with Martin Ferguson named for Peter Eckels, while Darlington, at home to Great Ayton, show several alterations.

Liam Brown, James Stock and Richard Biddle line up for Lee Hutton, Keith Barker and Derek Coates.

For their home game with Normanby Hall, Richmondshire have Kevin Forbes and Jamie Stead taking over from Stephen Orchard and Shaun Charlton.

Northallerton and Guisborough strengthened their grip at the top of the table when they won both games last weekend, while their nearest challengers all faltered.

Victories over Blackhall and Middlesbrough enabled Northallerton to maintain a slender seven-point lead over their closest rivals.

Jonathan Barnes played a leading role with bat and ball in the 63-run success against Blackhall. He made a top-scoring 59, while Mark Stainsby added 43 and Albert Aurelius 40 to a total of 233-7.

Despite a half-century from John Darby and 49 by Philip Bell, the Colliers were all out for 170 as Barnes conceded only 38 runs in 21.3 overs for four wickets and Doug Mulholland also captured four wickets.

In Sunday's game at Acklam Park, Northallerton had 71 runs to spare over Middlesbrough, who were all out for 111 as Barnes produced another outstanding performance, taking 6-40.

He was again supported in the attack by Mulholland with figures of 3-13.

When they made first use of the wicket, the visitors posted 182-9, which included 48 by Hall. The next highest contribution was 30 extras.

Guisborough dismissed their opponents for just 74 and 97. The first batsmen to struggle were Darlington's at Feethams, where they laboured through 42.5 overs as Paul Goodchild returned 6-44 from 21 overs.

An unbeaten 54 by Imran Jan swept the Fountains Garth side to an emphatic nine-wicket win in just 16.2 overs.

The following day Hartlepool managed only 97 as Richard Dunn bowled superbly in taking 5-37. Batting first, Guisborough realised 174-4 with Jan making another half-century and Graeme Murray 31 not out.

Bishop Auckland drew both their games. Amul Mazumdar made a century and Ben Usher 51 leading their side to 197-4 against Hartlepool, who were comfortable on 130-5 at close of play.

On Sunday, Pool again failed to bowl out their opponents batting second as bottom-of-the-table Blackhall held on at 154-8 despite Richard Hawthorne claiming 4-27.

Batting first, Bishops had their second century-maker in two days. This time it was Usher, who ended undefeated on 109, while in-form Mazumdar added 82 to his growing total of runs as Bishops posted 236-4.

Saltburn also faltered in the title race, losing to Richmondshire before winning at neighbours Redcar.

Richmond were restricted to 126-7 at Saltburn, who, on a rain-affected wicket, were sent back for just 77 as Andy Fleming took 3-6 and Shanoka Dissanayake 4-17.

The visitors batted 50 overs and Saltburn 41.5, resulting in only 203 runs being scored in almost 92 overs.

Saltburn returned to form in the local derby at Redcar, where runs were again at a premium. Martin Hood (49) and Neil Russell (32) gave the home side a good send-off, but no other player managed double figures as the innings limped to 120 all out with Amar Waseem returning 6-39 to take his weekend total to ten wickets.

Saltburn made a poor start in reply, but Jon Bond (36) held the innings together before Richard Storr and Tony Bell safely guided their side to victory with an unbroken partnership for the seventh wicket.

Middlesbrough, who went into the double programme on the back of three successive victories, lost both games. Their first reverse came at Darlington RA, where they were pegged to 125-9 in 50 overs as Wilden Cornwall, Peter Cartwright and Andrew Russell all took three wickets. Philip Crowther then carried his bat for 65 as RA won by eight wickets.

It was a good weekend for RA, who went on to defeat Marske by 34 runs on Sunday. Cornwall and Graham Hird each took three wickets reducing Marske to 117. A big blow to the Seasiders was having Rob Nicol run out after he had contributed 38.

Paul Freary (37) and David Eckels (38) were the main contributors to the RA total of 151, while Nicol captured 6-60 and Stuart Mackay 4-42 for Marske.

In their first game, Marske drew at Redcar, for whom Tim Hood made an unbeaten 108 and Andy Hassack 52 in a total of 215-5, with Mackay taking 4-50.

Nicol opened with a half-century and Karl Bramwell added 47 to the Marske tota of 183-9.

Great Ayton moved further away from the bottom of the table with a win and a draw.

Thara Gunnaratne hit two sixes and ten boundaries in 82 and David Grainge ended unbeaten on 44 in a total of 212-5 before Normanby Hall were sent back for 146 as Gunnaratne completed a man-of-the-match performance with figures of 6-64 from 23.2 overs.

On Sunday, Ayton shared the spoils at Normanby Hall. They made a useful 167, with Mohamed Zahid taking five wickets before Normanby Hall went close, replying with 159-6 by close of play.

Lee Sykes (39) and David Cross (58no) almost claimed victory for the Hall.