The twists and turns in the race for the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division title produced another shock yesterday when leaders Saltburn lost to Northallerton and gained just four points.

They still lead the table by six points from Darlington and although Guisborough are 14 points off the top they have a game in hand on both of their rivals.

Northallerton have sprung one or two surprises this season but they reserved their biggest for Saltburn whom they bowled out for just 82 when man-of-the-match Jonathan Barnes claimed five wickets after scoring 39 of his team's 150-8.

After dismissing Wolviston for just 137 with David Towes returning 5-37, Guisborough had their work cut out before seeing off Wolviston by two wickets.

They were grateful for Graham Shaw's innings of 60.

Darlington had the easiest game of the trio hitting Thornaby by 140 runs. Mark Jobling and Gary Moody both made half centuries before Hanif ur-Rehman was another bowler to go nap.

Bishop Auckland are back in the top flight after just one season in Division One. They completed a hat-trick of holiday wins with 68 runs to spare over Yarm when Darren Blenkiron struck an unbeaten 106 and Stuart Morgan returned the magnificent figures of 9-47 from 26.5 overs. He claimed a hat-trick capturing the last three Yarm wickets to start the celebrations.

Leaders Benwell Hill and South Northumberland are still battling it out for the championship of the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League.

The Hill had six wickets to spare at Sunderland who managed only 155 before the visitors' captain Phil Nicholson struck a crucial unbeaten 46.

It was a close call for South North in their derby with Newcastle, however, and their last pair were at the wicket when victory was achieved.

Evenwood and Kimblesworth are neck and neck in what is now a two-horse race for The Readers Durham County League championship.

Evenwood had 31 runs over Willington when John Maughan and Deighton Butler reduced the visitors to only 74 and Kimblesworth surprisingly lost by 16 runs at Langley Park.

Burnmoor are now 35 points ahead with just 40 to play for in The Federation Special Durham Senior League, after they stormed to victory at Felling.

Moor, the only unbeaten side, sent Felling back for just 81 when Ian Conn collected five wickets before Barry Dews (35 not out) and Mark Benfield, with an unbeaten 40 completed a 10-wickets victory.