Saltburn have taken over as the new leaders of the premier division after Guisborough suffered their second defeat in three games when they surprisingly lost at Northallerton last Saturday.

The visitors batted first and were bowled out for 126, the home side's professional Jonathan Barnes doing most of the damage with 5-36. Opener Graham Shaw offered some resistance with 33, while captain Johnny May added 26.

Northallerton made heavy work of reaching the modest target, but Barnes also shone with the bat to set up victory by three wickets. He made a vital 45, supported by Ian Gill's 24 and Doug Mulholland's 20 as David Towse claimed 5-60 to give Guisborough hope.

Saltburn gained the better of a drawn game at home to Darlington RA, earning enough points to grab top spot.

The home team took first knock and posted 180-8, opener Shaun Storey leading the way with 44 as A Russell caused problems to claim 5-56.

The visitors were left clinging on at 78-9 when stumps were drawn, with S Russell making a heroic 34 as none of his team-mates reached double figures. Maurice Rashid was in tremendous form for Saltburn, taking 6-19, while his brother Umer Rashid chipped in with 3-30.

Darlington are not far behind in third place after a drawn game at home to Hartlepool. The home side batted first and put 195-7 on the board after openers Neil Pratt (56) and Mark Stainsby (42) got them off to a strong start and Gary Moody kept things going with 42 not out.

Steve Chapman took 4-83 for the visitors and then contributed 22 with the bat as Hartlepool reached 169-5. Opener Gary Tebbett top-scored with 59.

Marske moved up into fourth position in the league after bowling out home side Redcar for 101. Mohammed Fazal took 6-25 in 21 overs for the visitors, who won by four wickets after opener Neil Coverdale carried his bat for 48.

Dulip Samaraweera caused some problems for the Marske batsmen, taking 4-33.

Middlesbrough took first knock at home to Normanby Hall and reached 180-6, thanks mainly to 69 from James Lowe and an unbeaten 46 from Chris Liddle.

Mohammed Zahid bowled unchanged to take 4-50 in his 25 overs, setting the scene for Steve McNicholas to propel the visitors to a five-wicket victory with a blistering 79. Opener Mark Croft had hit 44 to give his side early momentum.

Bottom club Wolviston chalked up their second victory of the season when they won at Blackhall. The visitors batted first and scored 169-8, despite Imran Jan's 5-49.

The home side were then bowled out for 119 as Jimmy Jones claimed an excellent 5-22 and George Sayers backed him up with 4-27. Jan tried hard to save his side with 46.

The match between Thornaby and Richmondshire was cancelled because the ground was unfit.

Division One

Leaders Bishop Auckland extended their lead on Sunday despite their match at Marske seconds being brought to a premature end by rain.

The visitors posted 228-5, with Keith Stones hitting 81 and Stuart Morgan 42, before Marske reached 80-4, with Gary Lynch unbeaten on 49 when the match was abandoned.

The same fate befell the game between Stokesley and Guisborough seconds, who had made 207-8 thanks mainly to an excellent 100 from opener Anthony Parsons. The home side had reached 59-4 when the match was called off.

On Saturday, second-placed Great Ayton won at Barnard Castle. Anthony Doyle claimed 5-34 to help bowl out the home side for 144 despite a half-century from Michael Stanwix and 32 by Andrew Toulson.

The visitors lost only three wickets in reaching their target after opener Neil Pearson carried his bat for 60 and Colin Murray finished on 38 not out.

Stokesley lost at home to Billingham Synthonia, who were bowled out for 182, Gary Burgum top-scoring with 47 and I West taking 4-53.

The home side could only manage 109 despite a good start by openers Jay Stockham (33) and Mark Smith (29). Andy Jennings took 4-27 and Denis Wing 3-5 for the visitors.

The only other game to be played was at Bishop Auckland, who entertained third-placed Seaton Carew. The visitors posted 133-8, Stuart Morgan claiming 5-50, and the home side were struggling on 85-8 when stumps were drawn, opener Johnny Johnson's 47 saving them from defeat.

All other fixtures were called off because of the weather