Guisborough created a couple of records last weekend when they clinched the premier division championship for the fourth consecutive year.

They became the first side in the history of the league, which was formed in 1893, to twice win the title in four successive years. In addition, it is the first time Guisborough have won the title and the Kerridge Cup in the same season.

Guisborough first won four championships on the bounce between 1909 and 1912, a feat which Darlington also celebrated during 1920-23.

The Fountains Garth side went into their final game of the season at Darlington RA needing just four points and the celebrations began once their total reached 175.

Saul Clifford (56) held the innings together early on, when there were a few shocks for the visitors, before Paul Goodchild (37no) and Chris Murray (50no) led the side past the magical 175 figure to 185-7 by the time the 50 overs expired.

Andrew Russell bowled throughout for RA, sending down 25 overs to return 4-73, and when David Eckels (83no) stood firm, the home side totalled 136-7 by close of play.

The ever-reliable David Towse conceded just 13 runs in 15 overs and Goodchild captured 3-35 from 12 overs, but by then their performances were merely academic.

Bishop Auckland, who challenged throughout, end runners-up. They took only seven points from their drawn game at Hartlepool, which was abandoned because of rain with Bishops struggling at 74-6 from 27.5 overs.

Earlier, Pools reached 132 all out as Phil Timmens, Ben Usher and Richard Hawthorne shared the wickets.

After being in the lead on several occasions, Northallerton failed in the last few weeks and finished third, 38 points behind Guisborough.

Jerry Hall (61), Doug Mulholland (48) and Jonathan Barnes (74no) led their side to the formidable total of 242-4. But when Neil Russell batted throughout for an unbeaten 50, Redcar ended on 129-3 as the rain caused a premature halt.

Barnes, who needed three wickets to reach 100, managed only two and it must have been a big disappointment for him when the game finished early.

Saltburn signed off with a six-wicket victory against Marske, whose 178-5 included 43 not out by Richie Rennard and an unbeaten 48 from Kevin Welch.

Adil Ditta opened with 37, Stuart Davies added 38 and Lee Hodgson an unbeaten 57 to Saltburn's winning response.

Darlington's game with Middlesbrough at Acklam Park was a victim of the weather when at an interesting stage. Faced with a target of 195, Boro were 130-2 after just 24.1 overs.

Brenton Parchment struck three sixes and five fours out of 44 made from just 26 balls and Darren Birkett was 66 not out.

Neil Pratt (60) and Stephen Chapman (33) gave Darlington's innings the perfect start, but, following their dismissals to Janisar Hussain, the innings closed on 194.

The game at Richmondshire was also curtailed by rain. Following Anthony Doyle's dismissal for 32, Darren Hickey was unbeaten with 30 in the Great Ayton total of 83-1 after Richmond had posted 199-8, including 57 by Mark Layfield and 33 from his brother Clive.

Although they failed to repeat the strong challenge they had mounted in previous seasons, there was consolation for fourth-placed Saltburn in that they won the MacMillan Cup, defeating Redcar in the final.

Blackhall, who managed just two wins all season, are relegated and will be replaced in the premier division by Billingham Synthonia, whose final game of the season with Marton was abandoned.

Marton were in a good position and, had they won, they would have become champions of division one. But it was Synners who were celebrating at the end of a season badly affected by the weather.

l See page 29 for division one round-up.