Darlington Building Society NYSD League Premier Division: They celebrated at Fountains Garth on Saturday when victory in the final game of the season earned Guisborough the championship by the narrowest of margins.

In the end they had just one point to spare over Saltburn but it mattered little when the winning run was achieved against Thornaby.

"We have enjoyed another tremendous season, winning the title for the third successive year. Obviously, nerves were on a knife edge on Saturday but we have come through another gruelling season on top even though Saltburn have pushed us all the way," said chairman Dave Norminton.

Guisborough probably thought they were on their way to the championship when they restricted bottom-of-the-table Thornaby to only 137-7 in 50 overs.

Once again, the ever-reliable David Towse bowled unchanged, sending down 25 overs and conceding a mere 43 runs.

He was ably supported in the attack by Paul Goodchild as the pair concluded with identical figures of 3-43.

It was not exactly all plain sailing for Guisborough though and Thornaby caused one or two rumblings before Towse and 18-year old Stephen Pennock formed the partnership which was to sweep the home side to victory and to the title.

Towse carried his bat for 37 and Pennock showed experience beyond his years with an undefeated 43.

There were still eight overs remaining as Guisborough clinched their third successive championship.

Saltburn also won, but finish a point off the top.

Adil Ditta struck a couple of sixes and nine boundaries in 65 leading the Seasiders to 191-8 from 50 overs at home to neighbours Marske for whom Fahim Fazal was another to send down 25 overs.

He ended with 4-81 and Stuart Mackay had 3-42, but their performances were overshadowed by Mauhtashim Rashid who, with seven wickets for 51 from 16 overs, did most to bowl out Marske for 103.

Although they ended third, more than 80 points off the top and lost their last game to Northallerton, Bishop Auckland will be pleased with their form during their first season back in the Premier Division.

It looked as if their score of almost 200 would be sufficient to at least stave off defeat against Northallerton but the visitors rose to the occasion and 43 from Jerry Hall and 48 not out from Mark Stenson earned them a two-wickets win.

Richard Hawthorne (48) and Amul Mazumdar (33) produced most of the runs in the Bishops total and for Northallerton, Jonathan Barnes and Doug Mulholland both claimed four wickets.

Darlington lost against Richmondshire and finish fifth from bottom.

Faced with a target of 189, they recovered after losing both openers cheaply and when Simon Guy (46) and Daniel Page (40) were together, victory looked a possibility but eventually the innings closed on 179.

Adam Smith, with one six and five boundaries in 52 and Andy Mollitt (44) produced most of the runs for Richmond who, in fifth place, have enjoyed one of their best seasons for some time.

Normanby Hall signed off with a four-wicket win at Blackhall despite Tony Booth hitting two sixes and 13 boundaries in an unbeaten 107 for the Colliers.

Mohamed Zahid claimed five of the six wickets to fall for 72 runs in an unchanged spell of 25 overs before ending unbeaten on 49 which together with 43 by Pearson, enabled the Hall to win with almost eight overs to spare.

Hartlepool are second from bottom. Bad light stopped play in their game with Middlesbrough at Park Drive which produced over 500 runs.

Stephen Chapman was in magnificent form for Pool, hitting a marvellous 158 and Shurmer contributed a half century.

Brett Roberts was in good all-round form for Boro. After Mark Croft opened with 41 and Colin Haslett made 75, Roberts ended unbeaten on 51 after taking four wickets but when the game was brought to a premature halt, Boro were 244-4 replying to the Hartlepool total of 257-5.