Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Not even an injury to new professional Imran Jan could dampen Guisborough's satisfaction with their performance at Park Drive on the opening day of the season.

Fortunately, it looks as if the West Indian will soon be back in action. "Imran turned the ball onto the inside of his knee attempting to play a shot down the leg side. He was in quite a bit of pain and had to retire but it doesn't look anything serious," said chairman Dave Norminton.

The season could hardly have started better for the three-times champions. Paul Goodchild claimed the wicket of Durham County opener Michael Gough who failed to get off the mark and from then on it was all downhill for Hartlepool who stuttered to an unimpressive 125-9.

Although the visitors conceded three early wickets, Jan and Johnny May (41 not out) put their side into a strong position before the pro was forced to leave the field.

His early departure though had little effect and Guisborough celebrated a six-wicket win.

Great Ayton, playing their first game in the top flight for more than 60 years, faced a tough assignment against Darlington who have engaged former Hartlepool player Steve Chapman as professional.

Chapman rarely fails with bat and ball as he proved at Great Ayton when he mopped up seven wickets for just 36 runs in an impressive 15.4 overs spell. Despite a half century from Glen Mudd, Ayton finished 54 runs adrift.

Mark Jobling (46) and Matthew Morgans (30 not out) steered Darlington to a useful 185-8 even though Dave Grainge also bowled an impressive end in the Ayton attack returning 5-42.

Colin Vaulks bowled Normanby Hall to victory against Marske. His five-wicket haul at a cost of 44 runs restricted the Seasiders to 117 as they chased the modest target of 129. Chris Vasey's innings of 48 was crucial to the Hall total of 128.

Mark Stainsby made a good start for Northallerton who had an impressive 76-runs margin over Redcar. He opened the innings with a half century and captain Ian Gill contributed 64 to a total of 169-6.

Ever-reliable Jonathan Barnes took 4-35 and Kay 4-26 as Redcar stumbled to 93 all out.

Bad light brought a premature halt at Kingsway where Bishop Auckland were struggling on 103-8 replying to a target of 191 set by Saltburn. Tim Hood was the bowler who did most damage capturing five for a miserly 25 runs in 16 overs, eight of which were maidens.

Phil Timmens was also among the wickets for Bishops and, at the end of a 25-overs continuous spell, he had the creditable figures of 5-66. Even so, Saltburn realised almost 200 with Adil Ditta hitting eight boundaries in 71.

Brenton Parchment was quickly into his stride scoring a century. His 110 together with a useful 39 from Colin Haslet and 49 by Guy Whatmore propelled Middlesbrough to 258-7 - the highest score of the day.

Richmondshire battled for a draw with skipper Andy Mollitt making 49 and Ben Biker 31 out of a total of 157-5.

Darlington RA were also in scoring mode and they, too, had a player in three figures. Skipper Darren Hickey led the way with 110 and 30 from Paul Freary and an unbeaten 45 by Gerard Hull enabled RA to set Blackhall the formidable target of 225.

Mohammed Fazal who took three wickets on his debut for the Colliers top-scored with 70 in a total of 168-7.

* Only Yarm managed to record success in Division One and they had 15 runs to spare at Barnard Castle.

Runs were at a premium but Yarm's 133 proved sufficient as Phil Andrews and Bilali Mustafa combined in a potent opening attack.Andrews bowled continuously and at the end of 22 hugely economical overs, he conceded just 34 runs for five wickets. At the other end, Mustafa gave admirable support taking 4-33 from his ten overs.

Despite 38 from Duncan Coates and 32 from Richard Eastwood, Barnard Castle were dismissed in 44 overs for 118.

There was a close call at Fountains Garth where 14 runs and one wicket separated Guisborough and Marton.

The home side's 175-6 looked attainable with Graham Shaw making his debut in the Marton line-up.

He made only 18, however, and although Mark Benfield chipped in with six fours out of 48, fancied Marton were 161-9 when their 50 overs expired. Ryan Murray did most of the damage to their innings with 6-69 in 18 overs while Steve Donlon bowled extremely tight and from 25 continuous overs, he returned outstanding figures of 3-55. Opener Rob Hornbrook struck four sixes and ten boundaries making a straight 100 and 35 from Will Wyatt enabled Guisborough to post 175-6 from their 50 overs. Dean Kirby captured four of the six wickets to fall for 79.

Not even an unbeaten 121, which included two sixes and 13 boundaries, by Mark Lane could secure victory for Normanby Hall at Marske. The visitors declared after 49 overs with a useful 233-4 on top but Marske were never in danger as they conceded just four wickets making 135 which included a half century by 15-year old Tom Graham and 34 from Colin Welsh.

Redcar were made to work hard for a draw at home to Billingham Synthonia. Needing 153, they had their last pair at the wicket with 127 on top when time was called.

Keith Martin was another bowler in the league to send down the maximum 25 overs and his 5-40 together with four wickets from Martin Cull almost earned Synners victory.

Simon Driver was the driving force behind the Billingham total of 152-5.

He found the boundary line on seven occasions contributing 41 before becoming one of Steve Lee's three victims taken at a cost of 23 runs in 11 overs.

Darlington were just 17 runs short of victory with two overs remaining when bad light caused the abandonment of their game with Seaton Carew at Feethams.

Watson (45), Danny Morgans (46), Colin Biglin (43) and Peter Bentley (35 not out) took the home side to 184-4 chasing Seaton's total of 200-6 of which Martin Skirving made 33 and Windsor 61.