The league season enters a key phase today. By Monday night around a third of fixtures will have been completed and the league table will start to give a clear indication of those that are likely to be involved in both championship and relegation issues.

Whatever the result of Northallerton's two games they will still be in the leading group as a result of their best ever start to a season since they joined the league in the 1970's. Six straight wins have underlined their potential under the energetic leadership of Liam Botham, and with Rashmi Parida in outstanding form, Jon Barnes doing what he always does by strangling the life out of opposing batting line ups, they appear to have a potent mix.

Their two games over the weekend present a real opportunity to extend their fabulous start as they take on Blackhall at home on Saturday and then go to Feethams on Monday to face a struggling Darlington team. The good news for Quakers is that Neil Pratt returns to action after recovering from his ankle injury.

Second placed Marton have all but given up on their search for an English professional and face their biggest test when in form Middlesbrough are the visitors in the match of the day this afternoon. Boro are a powerful machine with Alex Roberts and James Lowe scoring heavily at the top of the order and after their opening day wobble they have hit back with five consecutive victories.

For Marton Tom Chadwick is unavailable on Saturday and is replaced by Michael Emmerson, and for their game at Blackhall on Monday Chris Lane is back. Middlesbrough miss James Beaumont, Adil and Amer Ditta with Ben Hutchinson, Hamza Hussain and Janisar Hussain drafted in. For their Monday game at home to Marske Andrew Taylor replaces Janisar.

Bishop Auckland travel to Great Ayton in the first of their games and then host a struggling Saltburn. Guy Wilkes and Robert Nevison cannot play and Alistair Wilde and Jonathan Tait deputise. For Ayton James Marshall is on holiday with Dave Campbell brought in.

The villagers are finding the mantle of champions a tough one to carry at the moment as they struggle to rediscover their form of last summer. Both their games will provide further stiff tests because, as well as the home match with Bishops they travel to Guisborough for a big Bank Holiday derby clash. Saul Clifford will be back for the Priorymen and skipper Richard Dunn should be fit for Monday.

Marske have slipped a little since their opening burst and couldn't face a tougher weekend as they welcome Guisborough on Saturday and then go to Acklam Park on Monday, but they do have both Colin Haslett and Steve Larkins playing.

Richmondshire are mid table and will hope to improve their standing via their two away games at Normanby Hall and Redcar - Kevin Ashton is available again.

The basement battle is also hotting up. Saltburn are 12 points adrift but expect overseas professional Yogesh Galwalker to be with them. It is also possible they will have Lee Hodgson available on Saturday.

Hodgson,, son of Saltburn Secretary Chris, was substitute for England in the Lord's Test last week and took a catch off the bowling of Steve Harmison. The Seasiders are home to Hartlepool today and at Bishop on Monday.

Darlington need points and are home to Redcar with Neil Pratt back in the side. The home team carry four changes with John Davis, Ryan Lazenby, Stephen Lee and Darren Nalton all play.

Normanby Hall have a home game against Richmondshire, followed by a trip to Hartlepool.