It had to happen sometime, of course, but Guisborough could well have done without losing their long unbeaten record to championship rivals Darlington on Saturday.

On August 19, 2000, Guisborough lost to Normanby Hall and since then they had become almost impregnable, going 46 matches unbeaten.

But that all changed at Feethams. Darlington posted their own title credentials, upstaging their illustrious opponents and winning by eight wickets to throw the championship race wide open.

It was not the best of days for Guisborough from the start. Graham Shaw for once failed when he was bowled by Rob Lawrence without scoring.

Darlington took heart from this early, crucial success and although a number of batsman put up dogged resistance, 145 was always vulnerable.

Hanif-ur-Rehman was the main destroyer of the visitors innings, taking five wickets for just 37 runs. He also completed the task hitting 52 after the batting foundations had been well and truly laid by openers Neil Pratt and Mark Stainsby.

Pratt struck one six and seven fours making 42 and Stainsby contributed a similar figure as Darlington celebrated a memorable eight-wicket win.

Darlington remain third in the table, 21 points behind Guisborough and Saltburn are just seven points off the top after defeating Thornaby. Mauhtashim Rashid claimed 5-39 and Adil Ditta took 3-17 as Thornaby were back in the pavilion for just 94.

It was not entirely plain sailing for Saltburn, though, and they conceded five wickets to Colin Vaulks before securing 20 valuable points.

At the bottom Wolviston celebrated their first win of the season. Mark O'Neill and Andrew Davies bowled their side to victory when they dismissed Normanby Hall for just 60 runs in only 23.1 overs.

O'Neill returned the outstanding figures of 6-27 in 12 overs and Davies had 3-27 from 11.1 overs from the other end.

Marske had two wickets to spare in their home game with Middlesbrough. Adam Pattison, with six fours in 45 and Fahim Fazel (39) put them on the right track when responding to the challenge of scoring 169 runs but it still took an unbeaten 27 from Stuart McKay to see his side home in 42.2 overs.

Top performer in the Boro innings was James Lowe, scoring 63 before becoming one of Stuart McKay's six victims, taken at a cost of 52 runs in 14 overs.

Redcar lost just one wicket winning against Hartlepool, who managed only 108 all out as Dulip Samarweera took 4-37. John Cannon's 31 was the best Pool could offer.

Martin Hood, with an unbeaten 58 and Neil Russell (38 not out), dominated Redcar's reply with an unbroken partnership for the second wicket.

Imran Jan was again in superb form for Blackhall, but could not earn his side success in the home match with Darlington RA. Jan struck 135, Tony Booth added 31 and Ben Usher 63 not out to the Collierymen's total of 265-4.

After conceding early wickets, RA regrouped through Gerard Hull (31) and Steve Russell (68) and when John Middleton added 41, the visitors held on at 177-9.

Northallerton improved their position, defeating Richmondshire by six wickets. Mark Layfield (39) and Andy Mollett (41) provided most of the runs in the Richmond total of 154 as Jonathan Barnes and Mulholland shared nine wickets.

David Wake led Northallerton's reply and his half-century ensured a priceless victory for his side.