RICHMONDSHIRE, bottom of the premier division with only one win in nine attempts, are hopeful Shanoka Dissanayake will return from Sri Lanka in time to play against Bishop Auckland at Kingsway tomorrow.

Dissanayake, an integral part of the team, had to return home following the death of his father.

Richmond will definitely be without captain Andy Mollitt, but Dave Mathias is back from holiday to fill the vacancy.

Table-topping Saltburn are happy to announce an unchanged line-up at neighbours Redcar, who bring in Darren Nalton for Steve Law.

Guisborough are still marvelling at the performance of Chris Murray in the Tall Trees Hotel MacMillan Cup tie against Saltburn when he hit 82 from just 29 balls to lead his team to an unexpected victory.

He struck no fewer than nine sixes and three fours and is included in the side to face Northallerton at Fountains Garth, where 15-year-old Chris Allinson, who scored a century for the seconds last week, is named for the unavailable Saul Clifford.

Marske, in third position behind Saltburn and Guisborough, go to Normanby Hall with Ryan Lazenby, Gary Lynch, Richie Rennard and Ben Walker all returning compared to the side which played Darlington on Thursday night.

Billingham Synthonia have Keith Hewson, John Steel and Gary Crawford in their line-up at Hartlepool, while Darlington RA name Mark Ferguson at Middlesbrough, who include James Beaumont.

Darlington are at home to Great Ayton with Lee Hutton replacing Lee Craggs. The visitors still cannot call upon the injured Colin Murray.

It has not been the best of starts for Darlington, but they celebrated a third victory at Richmondshire last Saturday.

Richmond laboured through 50 overs, making only 129-9. Mark Layfield top-scored, but most of the time the batsmen were well contained by the four-man Darlington attack, in which Neil Pratt returned the excellent figures of 4-16 in six overs.

Darlington also did not find it easy at the wicket and needed 45.2 overs before securing victory, losing five wickets.

Pratt led the way with seven fours in 37 and Steve Chapman batted throughout for an unbeaten 48. Dissanayake captured 3-53 in a lengthy spell of 23.2 overs.

A couple of weeks ago Darlington RA defeated Guisborough, but when the sides again met they had to settle for a draw.

Faced with a target of 208, RA managed only 142-7, which included 66 by captain Phil Crowther with two sixes and eight boundaries.

Paul Goodchild had a good day for the champions, returning 5-49 in 17 overs, and, when Guisborough batted first and posted 207-9, they were indebted to Richard Dunn and Johnny May, who both added half centuries.

Stuart Morgan bowled through for RA, taking 3-93 in 25 overs, and Andrew Russell had 4-68 from 13 overs.

Saltburn maintained their position at the top of the table, defeating Middlesbrough quite comfortably.

Tony Bell, Adil Ditta, Lee Hodgson and Amar Ditta all made at least 30 as Saltburn reached 196-9 from their 50 overs despite Brett Roberts returning 5-67 in 18 overs.

When they responded, Boro were back in the pavilion after 45.4 overs with only 154 on top, of which Colin Haslett contributed a half century with seven boundaries. Mohamed Fazal took 4-38 in nine overs.

Marske moved into third position after defeating Bishop Auckland by five wickets, but with only seven balls remaining.

Their task was 189 and they were given the best possible start by Rob Nicol, with ten fours out of 80, and Neil Coverdale (32).

When the pressure was on towards the end, Richie Rennard came to the rescue with a crucial unbeaten 29.

Chris Nichols and Leigh Beaumont both took three wickets when Bishops batted first and posted 188 all out, which included 113 by Amul Mazumdar.

Redcar defeated Billingham Synthonia by three wickets. Denis Wing batted throughout for Synners, ending unbeaten on 62 in a total of 134, with Neil Russell taking 5-28 in 14 overs for Redcar.

Russell then starred with the bat, finishing with 36 not out as Redcar won for the first time despite Martin Cull returning 4-28 in 17 overs for Synners.

Northallerton, with just one win in nine games, were close to victory when they had Normanby Hall 96-8. Ian Gill (48) and Doug Mulholland (43no) top-performed in Northallerton's total of 214-6.

Glen Mudd made the highest score of the day, 124, but failed to steer Great Ayton to victory at home to Hartlepool.

Ayton's innings ended with 229-8 on top, but 73 not out from Michael Gough and 30 by Richie Evans ensured a share of the points for Pool as they replied with 177-7.