Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: It could hardly be tighter at the top of the table as Guisborough and Saltburn go into the last day of the season with just a point between them.

Guisborough, aiming to clinch the championship for a third successive year and emulate the feat last achieved between 1967 - 69 by Saltburn, are just ahead of their rivals.

The weather played a part in setting up a tense finish to the end of the season. Whereas Saltburn managed to complete their home game with Bishop Auckland, Guisborough's fixture at Normanby Hall was abandoned.

Full credit to the Seasiders though who crushed Bishop Auckland by 145 runs. Bishops went into the game third from top and had been in such good form that they were expected to give Saltburn a good game.

But brothers Umar and Mauhtashim Rashid ripped through the innings which closed with only 62 runs on the board. Umar ended with the magnificant figures of 6-22 and Mauhtashim returned 3-32.

When they batted first, Saltburn posted 207-5 which included an unbeaten 78 by Tony Bell who batted throughout the innings.

Ditta (50) and Mauhtashim Rashid with 30 gave support and the healthy total of 207-5 was posted. Even so, at the halfway stage it looked as if Bishops were in with a chance but they were reduced to their lowest score of the season.

After restricting Normanby Hall to 162-7, Guisborough were 92 for the loss of just two wickets when the weather intervened.

Mohamed Zahid top-scored with 41 for the Hall and Richard Dunn claimed five wickets for just 55 runs in the Guisborough attack.

Following the dismissal of Saul Clifford for 31, Gary Shaw hit 30 but at the fall of Dunn's wicket, no further play was possible and the leaders still required 71 runs for victory with eight wickets intact.

On Saturday, Guisborough have home advantage over Thornaby while Saltburn stage the local derby with Marske.

No play was possible between Darlington RA and Marske but at nearby Feethams Darlington's match with Blackhall went ahead.

Yorkshire's Simon Guy made a good 61 in the home team's total of 168-6 and at stumps, the Colliers were 140-6 which included a top-scoring 39 by John Derby.

Kevin Mott produced a good performance with the ball for Darlington claiming four of the six wickets to fall for 61 runs.

Northallerton faced a target of 212 in their home game with Redcar. Martin Hood (75) and Neil Russell with 86 put together a century partnership for the second wicket and Redcar ended with 211 on the board.

Jonathan Barnes (3-67) was as reliable as ever but it was Doug Mulholland, with six wickets for 47 runs, who was the principal wicket-taker. When rain arrived during the interval, no further play was possible.

The weather was the only winner at Richmondshire where Middlesbrough were 108-3 including an unbeaten 44 by Mark Foster and 39 not out from James Lowe while the match between Hartlepool and Thornaby at Park Drive was pashed out without a ball being bowled.

Thornaby, with one game to play, will finish the season in bottom position.