RATINDER Sodhi scored an unbeaten century last Saturday, but this week he returned to India for a consultation with his doctor regarding a back problem.

His departure is a huge blow to Darlington RA ahead of their visit to Saltburn tomorrow.

"His absence is a huge blow. He has been absolutely committed to the club and we hope he is able to return to Brinkburn Road as soon as possible," said a spokesman.

Richard Hill replaces Sodhi at Saltburn, who name the same side beaten at Bishop Auckland last week.

Darlington show two changes for their fixture with Northallerton at Feethams. Duncan Johnson and Ricky Hopwood return to the exclusion of Jim Stock and Alex Deuchar.

Middlesbrough, who line up against Redcar at Acklam Park, include Colin Haslett for Janisar Hussain, while the Seasiders show a number of alterations. Darren Nalton, Shaun McGarry and Jason Robinson have all recovered from injuries.

Colin Murray is unfit so Bilal Rasool is named in the Great Ayton side to tackle Hartlepool at Park Drive, while Marske include Chris Burke and Gary Lynch, the pair taking over from Jason Boardman and Chris Gibbon for the home fixture with Billingham Synthonia.

Table-topping Guisborough name the same XI, but visitors Richmondshire cannot include Clive Layfield. Richmond prop up the table and are one of four sides yet to win.

Normanby Hall show two changes to their line-up for the visit of in-form Bishop Auckland, with Michael Addison and Mattie Herron taking over from Graham Robinson and Rashad Rashid.

Marske's season so far has been one of inconsistency. Twice recently they have failed to make three figures, but at the weekend they overtook Middlesbrough's total of 207-4 with seven wickets and almost four overs to spare.

Darren Birkett (40) and Alex Roberts, whose unbeaten 75 included 11 boundaries, were prominent for Boro, but they were overshadowed by Marske's Rob Nicol, who carried his bat for 99, recording 16 fours.

Ryan Lazenby gave support with 43 not out as the pair put together an unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket which earned Marske their second win in six attempts.

Saltburn surprisingly crashed to 80 all out at Bishop Auckland, for whom Ben Usher captured 6-39 in 14 overs. Earlier, Usher (51) and Amul Mazumdar (80) propelled Bishops to a match-winning 216-8. Four of the wickets were taken by Lee Hodgson for 54 runs in ten overs.

Hodgson claimed a hat-trick of sorts. He took wickets with successive deliveries, then bowled a no-ball before taking his third wicket with the next ball.

The local derby at Brinkburn Road was abandoned with Darlington RA in the ascendancy against Darlington. They required only 17 runs with nine wickets in hand after Ratinder Sodhi hit one six and 19 fours in a superb unbeaten 111 out of a total of 155-1.

Steve Chapman (34), Liam Brown (42) and Neil Pratt (27) were the principal contributors to the Darlington total of 171-7 achieved from 50 overs. Andrew Russell and David Eckels shared five wickets in the RA attack.

Billingham Synthonia had six wickets and as many overs to spare when they defeated Great Ayton. Batting first, Ayton ended on 155-7 with Thara Gunarathne striking eight fours in his 61, while Keith Martin and Martin Cull bowled 48 of the 50 overs between them, sharing seven wickets.

Denis Wing led the Synners reply, batting throughout for an unbeaten 52. He was joined by Simon Driver (34) in a partnership which proved crucial as Gunarathne completed a good game by taking 4-57.

Richmondshire drew with Northallerton. Jonathan Barnes (68), Mark Stainsby (40) and Richard Bentley (31) swept Northallerton to 208-4, with Chris Layfield returning 4-31 in seven overs when he claimed three wickets in his last over. Richmond never threatened and were 129-7 at close of play.

Chris Murray (70) and Stephen Pennock (60) propelled leaders Guisborough to 243-7 at Redcar, who were comfortable at stumps on 154-5 as Tom Urwin scored 56 before being run out.

Normanby Hall, who started the day in second position, lost heavily to Hartlepool. Michael Gough (55) and Richie Evans were the top scorers in Pool's total of 188-7 before Normanby Hall were surprisingly bowled out for just 83 as Ian Jackson returned 6-41 and Ian Palmer 4-35.