SOMETHING has got to give this weekend as clubs face up to a double dose of action that could determine how the rest of their season pans out.

Come Monday night clubs will have completed almost a third of their fixtures, so league placings will start to become an accurate barometer of their longer term ambitions.

Following Hartlepool’s great start three other clubs have emerged as front runners with nothing to separate them. Middlesbrough share joint leadership with Marton, with Guisborough just a point further back in third, but Boro’s position is most tenuous as they have played a game more than their rivals.

For Marton the weekend would seem the ideal opportunity to consolidate as they appear to have the easier fixtures against weakened sides.

They start today with a home match against Marske who will have to make do without the considerable services of Steve Chapman who is away on business for a few weeks.

And then on Monday they go to Blackhall who will not have Neil Killeen at their disposal.

The villagers will be at full strength for the first game, although there is a doubt about Lee Hodgson for Monday as he may be required by Yorkshire.

For the other two challengers it’s a different story.

Guisborough are delighted that Ryan Murray’s injury is not as bad as first feared although he will be missing through holidays, but they do have the ideal replacement in brother Chris who is back from London for the weekend.

And they kick their programme off with a home match against Blackhall this afternoon.

But the Colliery side will have Killeen for this one, and if there has been rain about he will no doubt prove quite a handful. But whatever happens, the game is just a starter for the main course on Monday when the Priorymen go to Acklam Park.

When Middlesbrough have a full side out they are a strong outfit, but neither of their professionals, Kyle Coetzer or Yasir Shah, are expected to play this weekend.

The Pakistani leg-spinner’s visa should be processed in the next few days, and in time for him to debut next week.

Boro begin their double at Leven Park today where there had been talk in the Ayton camp that Director of Cricket Dave Pennock could turn out - if someone could be found to mind his dog Toby.

Definitely playing will be Neil Pearson following plenty of runs in the seconds, and Dave Campbell, making his seasonal debut.

Hartlepool are boosted by the return of their big guns - Mike Gough, Chris Fawcett, John Cannon, Alan Tebbett and Ian Palmer.

With a full strength line-up for the Park Drive meeting with Bishop Auckland today, and the trip to Billingham on Monday, Pools will feel they have an excellent chance of taking advantage of any slip up by the leading trio.

Bishops are back to full strength with the return of Ben Usher and Richard Arnott, Synners will miss skipper Dave Fairley on Monday, Dave Eckels and Paul Raine are back for the Quakers, Paul Wiseman is expected to be fit again for Normanby, Northallerton are without Jon Barnes today, James Clarkson plays for Richmond and Andrew Emerson is back from university to bolster Thornaby.

There are two games for NYSD followers to savour tomorrow in the national club competition.

Scarborough are the attractive visitors to Richmond, whilst arguably the best club side in the country, South Northumberland, will play at Great Ayton, the tiny village side hoping for a bumper bank holiday crowd.