HOW quickly the mighty have fallen.

On Thursday, Normanby Hall and Marske toppled Guisborough and Saltburn - but within 48 hours the celebrations came to an abrupt end when they both tasted defeat.

At the very least, the pair were expected to draw their matches but Normanby managed only 72 at Thornaby and Marske fared only marginally better visiting Darlington RA.

Thornaby improved their position near the foot of the table with their third win of the season. Colin Vaulks claimed four for 34 runs in 14 overs and Paul Thomas returned 4-29 in 11.2 overs as the Normanby Hall innings lasted 30.2 overs.

Usman Tariq swept his side to victory in 22 overs, hitting a six and three boundaries in an unbeaten 45, as just two wickets fell.

Darlington RA enjoy the luxury of being well off the relegation zone following their defeat of Marske. Paul Freary made a half century and Gerard Hull a useful 29 in a total of 153. Tim Hood, Mohamed Fazil and Stuart McKay all took three wickets but the trio were outshone by Maroof Khan and Tim Cartwright.

Khan took six wickets for 64 runs and when Cartwright bowled an economical end in returning figures of 4-26, Marske were surprisingly back in the pavilion for fewer than 100 - and that featured an unbeaten 25 by McKay batting at number nine.

Guisborough stretched their lead at the top when they quickly bounced back from the Kerridge Cup disappointment.

David Towse - as economical as ever - and Chris Murray troubled the Middlesbrough batsmen until a late unbeaten 44 by Brett Roberts took the total to 166.

Towse finished with 6-44 and Murray 3-37 before Saul Clifford (33) and Gary Murray (37) led Guisborough's reply. The good work was continued by Richard Dunn with a half century and Guisborough stretched their unbeaten record in the league recording their ninth win in 13 games.

There was no quick winning response from Saltburn who lost a high-scoring, exciting game against Hartlepool by five wickets.

It looked as if the Seasiders' total of 251-7 compiled from 50 overs would at least be defendable but Steve Chapman produced another outstanding performance with the bat and Pool won with four balls remaining.

Chapman struck four sixes and 17 boundaries which, together with 68 from John Cannon, who recorded one six and eight fours, earned Hartlepool their fifth victory and a move into sixth position.

Adil Ditta and Umer Rashid gave the Saltburn innings the best possible start with a big partnership. Rashid was first to depart after contributing 40 and Ditta went on to make 90, hitting a six and 14 boundaries.

John Wyatt chipped in with 32 and although Chapman returned 4-73 from 19 overs and Andy Carter 3-46, Pool's hopes looked forlorn at the halfway stage - until Chapman went to work with the bat.

Runs also flowed at Feethams where both Redcar and Darlington passed the 200 mark. An exciting finale ensued as Darlington just edged home with their last pair at the wicket.

Faced with a target of 210, they were indebted to openers Neil Pratt (49) and Mark Stainsby (60).

Mark Jobling added a useful 29 and Danny Morgans eventually won the game carrying his bat for 20 not out.

Dulip Samaraweera sent down 13 overs in the Redcar attack, bowling six maidens in taking four for 41, and Mick McCabe proved economical, his seven-over spell costing just 27 runs for two wickets.

Neil Russell spearheaded Redcar's innings and he had seven fours in 80. Samaraweera struck no fewer than 11 boundaries in 63 and Martin Hood added a useful 30 to the Redcar total of 209-6 which came from 50 overs. Hanif-ur-Rehman took four of the six wickets to fall at a cost of 56 runs in 11 overs.

Wolviston are still searching for their first victory after going down by nine wickets to Richmondshire. Peacock (31) and Woolnough (30) were the leading players in the visitors' total of 160 as Michael Ponter and Clive Layfield each took three wickets.

Ponter, with an unbeaten 50, and Mark Layfield, who carried his bat for 83, swept Richmond home to ease their relegation fears.

Imran Jan was in superb form for Blackhall but could not earn his side victory at Northallerton. The West Indian led the Collierymen to the impressive total of 224-6 by contributing 127.

In reply, Northallerton comfortably finished on 185-7 with runs coming from Jonathan Barnes (60), John Gregory with 45 not out and David Mulholland (41).