Saltburn had the title sewn up before the half way stage of their game at Normanby Hall. Three points were needed to celebrate and when they claimed six wickets it was all over.

The Seasiders have been in the driving seat for most of the season and there was no way they were going to slip up.

Lee Hodgson captured six for 53 in 17 overs and Mohamed Fazal had four for 42 from the 13.2 overs he delivered. The Hall's modest 149 included 41 by Steve McNicholas and 36 from Darren Cross.

Saltburn's reply was academic but they suffered a couple of early setbacks before Tony Bell struck a six and six boundaries in an unbeaten 57 partnering Hodgson in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand. It was Saltburn's 17th win in 25 games and secured their first championship in five years.

Guisborough end runners-up and they had only a couple of wickets to spare against Darlington at Fountains Garth.

Mark Jobling recorded five boundaries in 59 and Jim Alderson ended unbeaten on 31 as Darlington managed only 153 for six from their 50 overs. Richard Dunn claimed three for 37.

Guisborough's reply faltered before stalwart Gary Bolton (25 not out) was joined by Graham Wrightson and the pair steered their side to victory with an unbroken stand for the ninth wicket. Wrightson's 34 not out included seven fours while Steve Chapman returned six for 70 in 19 overs.

Billingham Synthonia are relegated despite defeating Darlington RA.

Keith Martin conceded only 43 runs in 21 overs taking seven wickets as RA laboured through 43.2 overs making only 111.

Runs were more plentiful when Synners made first use of the wicket. Despite their openers managing only a couple of runs between them they ended on 208 for six as Brenton McDonald hit a six and eight fours in 84, Keith Hewson added 47 and Omar Shahid 36.

Alex Roberts was again in outstanding form but could not prevent Middlesbrough losing a high-scoring game to Hartlepool at Park Drive.

Two sixes and 17 fours flowed from his bat as he reached 123 - his fourth consecutive century. Steve Sargent, with six for 41, put a rein on the scoring but Boro reached the impressive total of 239.

Hartlepool also had a century-maker and Paul Johnson was on the winning side. He ended undefeated on 104 with two sixes and 15 boundaries which together with a half century by Michael Gough and a useful 43 from Richie Evans swept Pool to a six-wicket victory.

Martin Hood (91) and Neil Russell (88) produced an opening partnership of 183 but Redcar slumped to 232 for nine at Great Ayton as Thara Gunnarathne ended with seven for 56.

Ayton made a spirited reply and were only six runs short of a winning margin with two wickets remaining. John Doyle opened with 31 before Anthony Doyle (48) , John Grainge with an unbeaten 28 and Blackett (34) almost steered the home side to victory.

There was also a runs spree at Northallerton where only 20 divided them from Bishop Auckland.

Doug Mulholland, Jonathan Barnes and captain Ian Gill all reached 40 in the home total of 238 for eight before Bishops ended on 218 for seven.

Ben Usher, 12 fours in 66, and Paul Jenkin, whose unbeaten 51 included six fours, almost succeeded but Barnes was again at his most effective taking five of the seven wickets for 65 runs in 25 overs.