It is a really big weekend for Guisborough who after meeting rival championship contenders Bishop Auckland at Fountains Garth this afternoon line up against Darlington at Marske tomorrow in the final of the prestigious Kerridge Cup.

Richard Dunn's side has shown good form recently to open up a narrow 12 points lead over Northallerton, while Bishop Auckland are still in the race, just 22 points adrift.

A boost to the chances of Guisborough is the return of Johnny May who has been sidelined for some time with an injury. Stephen Pennock also resumes with Martin Hyde and Will Wyatt reverting to the second XI.

After losing to Great Ayton a couple of week sago and drawing with Northallerton last Saturday, Bishop Auckland, who many regard as having one of the strongest sides, need a good result at Guisborough.

Northallerton have stayed the pace and at home to Hartlepool have Darren Paven coming in for Roger Mackrell.

Hartlepool are now sixth, well within striking distance of a top three position. Gary Tebbet cannot play so Jack Wilson is drafted into the line up as pools aim to maintain their good form.

Middlesbrough, have joined the top five with their professional Brenton Parchment, who takes his benefit tomorrow, in outstanding form. Captain Martin Ball is unavailable and so too is the injured Janisar Hussain so Chris Bruton and Omar Shahid are included for the visit to Normanby Hall who are unchanged.

Great Ayton moved off the bottom with last Saturday's win over Saltburn and at third from the basement Marske include David Collins for left arm strike bowler James Marshall who is ruled out.

Marske, a point ahead of Ayton and five in front of bottom place Blackhall, cannot call upon Stuart Mackay or Graeme Coulthard and the pair are replaced by Carl Brumwell and Gary Lynch.

For their fixture with Richmondshire at Brinkburn Road, Darlington RA line up Jimmy Middleton for Andrew Russell, while Darlington show three changes for their game at Redcar.

Lee Craggs and Jamie Watson take over from Colin Biglin and Danny Morgans, while Richard Stock is preferred to his brother James.

Robbie Whelan and young spinner Jason Boardman return for Redcar taking over from Mally Whithead and Graham Bowen.

Blackhall, with just one win in 18 attempts, badly need a good result but they will not find it easy at fourth top Saltburn even though the experienced John Darby is able to play. David Brown is also included alongside Asif Jan, twin brother of former professional Imran who is now at Guisborough. Fazal Mahmood is injured and Mark Cushlaw and Philip Bell also leave the side.

* The teams for tomorrow's Kerridge Cup Final between Darlington and Guisborough at Marske (2pm) are: Darlington: Mark Jobling, Neil Pratt, Gary Moodey, Simon Whitehead, Lee Huttton, James Alderson, Danny Morgans, Nigel Fenwick, Dale Thomas, Paul Raine, Stephen Chapman. 12th Man: Lee Craggs.

Guisborough: David Towse, Richard Dunn, Saul Clifford, Stephen Pennock, Johnny May, Paul Goodchild, Chris Murray, Graham Murray, Graeme Wrightson, Gary Bolton, Imran Jan. 12th Man Ryan Murray.