Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League
THE first major final of the NYSD League season takes place tomorrow at Park Drive, Hartlepool when Blackhall take on Marton in the Hotel Tall Trees Macmillan Cup.
For Marton this represents another giant step after their promotion to the top flight in 2005.
The Teesside club are currently carrying all before them in their best run of form since moving up. As well as being the current league leaders, their cup form has been excellent too, having already removed favourites Middlesbrough from both the Kerridge and Macmillan, and defeated cup specialists Guisborough in the Fifteens.
They have a special fondness for the Macmillan after it became their first major trophy win in 2007.
Marton go into the final with a full-strength squad to choose from, with Ben Hutchinson back and Yorkshire’s Lee Hodgson set to turn out.
Blackhall are seeking a first Macmillan triumph in a competition that has been running since 1936, and given the venue they should be sure of a large following.
Unfortunately the ideal bowler for this competition, Neil Killeen, will not be able to play because of his Durham commitments, but with classy South African opening bat Warren Swan able to dismantle any bowling attack, they have the chance to create their own piece of history.
The final will bring to an end one of the most hectic weeks in Marton’s memory as they strive for honours on all four fronts, and fatigue may be a factor as they play their fifth game in six days.
But despite the glamour of tomorrow’s match, their main focus today will be on another key battle when they travel as top dogs to take on the side just one place and three points behind them, Guisborough.
The Priorymen are the only undefeated side in the league and have a full squad to pick from, their only slight doubt the fitness of Richard Dunn, who has a groin strain.
Middlesbrough, relegated to third place following their shock defeat last Sunday by bottom club Billingham, look to get back on track at home to Marske, and have James Beaumont returning from minor counties duty and Tom Hodgson back behind the stumps.
The Seasiders have slipped in the last fortnight, culminating in their shock Kerridge exit to division one side Stokesley in midweek, and they will be keen to give ensure they stop the slide at Acklam Park.
Fourth-placed Hartlepool make the trip to Blackhall this afternoon for a derby that carries significant bragging rights for the victors.
They travel with Mike Gough, currently averaging 148 in the league, in the team as well as Marc Symington, who missed last Sunday’s defeat at Feethams as he was playing for Northumberland.
Chris Fawcett also returns.
Northallerton, at the foot of the table, looked to have banished relegation concerns last Saturday night after getting the lion’s share of the points from their match with Billingham, but then collapsed to defeat at Bishops, made worse by Billingham’s first win of the campaign against the previously undefeated champions.
Town hope to have Richard Bentley fit in time for their home game against a Normanby Hall side who have been sliding down the table in recent weeks. Hall have Gary Scott, Lee Sykes, Chris Trillo, Brain Leech and Martin Brown all absent, although Keith Martin and Henry Blackett should play.
Synners travel to Bishop Auckland with the same team that defeated Boro, while Mark Stainsby returns for Darlington at Great Ayton.
Paul Allen keeps wicket for Thornaby with Michael Muldowney on cricket paternity leave, whilst visitors Richmondshire draft in Mark Jobling and Mike Fleming.
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