Guisborough welcome the return of David Towse as they attempt to quickly recover from last Saturday's defeat when they meet Darlington RA at Fountains Garth tomorrow.

Towse has been sorely missed recently, but he was back to lead Guisborough to victory over Saltburn in the semi-final of the Kerridge Cup on Tuesday night.

His economical spell earned him three wickets and did much to restrict Guisborough's target to a manageable 114.

Towse frequently bowls a lengthy spell and there is no doubt that the Guisborough attack is a lot more formidable with him leading from the front.

His inclusion for Ryan Murray is the only change, while Darlington RA show three alterations to their line-up as they attempt to record their third win of the season. Colin Cartwright, Michael Bean and Graham Hird all return.

Northallerton returned to the top of the table after defeating Guisborough in the only game to be played last weekend. They go to Richmondshire, who moved out of the bottom two following a good draw with Bishop Auckland in a re-arranged fixture last Sunday.

Bishop Auckland are third ahead of their fixture with bottom-of-the-table Great Ayton at Kingsway. Bishops have added Billy Teasdale from Evenwood to their squad, while Ayton, who have won just once, rely on an unchanged side.

Darlington show three alterations for the visit of Marske to Feethams with Duncan Johnson, Paul Raine and Stephen Chapman coming in for Danny Morgans, Richard Biddle and Dale Thomas.

Marske, third from bottom, name Robin Walker for Ben Walker, who is included in the second team. Gary Lynch retains his place after being selected for last week's cancelled game.

Chris Bruton for the unavailable Lee Roberts is Middlesbrough's only change against Redcar at Acklam Park. The Seasiders are happy to rely on an unchanged line-up.

Dean Burrows is unavailable, so Ian Jackson lines up for Hartlepool when Blackhall visit Park Drive. The Colliers show two changes, with Paul Moss and David Mole taking over from the unavailable Mark Cushlow and Paul Webster, who reverts to the second team.

The weather again wreaked havoc with the programme last Saturday and six of the seven games failed to start.

Northallerton managed to stage their fixture with Guisborough and returned to the top of the table when they won by 71 runs.

After a delayed start, Northallerton totalled 164-5 in 44 overs. There were a couple of early breakthroughs for Guisborough, who went into the game in pole position, but the ever-reliable Jonathan Barnes and Mark Stainsby retrieved the situation with a third-wicket partnership.

They added 87 before Stainsby was caught for 51, which included six boundaries. Barnes went on to finish with 81 not out, hitting one six and seven fours, while the most successful wicket-taker for Guisborough was captain Richard Dunn, who took 2-53 in 11 overs.

There was an early double blow for Guisborough when George Kay claimed the wickets of Saul Clifford and professional Imran Jan. The pair scored only six runs between them.

Dunn (28) and Stephen Pennock (27) raised the hopes of the visitors, but when they both fell to Barnes the innings crumbled to 93 all out in 39.1 overs.

Man of the match Barnes bowled unchanged for 20 overs, seven of which were maidens, and took 5-47. Kay ended with 3-18 from 9.1 overs and Doug Mulholland took 2-16 in ten overs.

Northallerton are seven points ahead of Guisborough and Bishop Auckland are third, only ten points adrift of the leaders, after they drew a re-arranged fixture at Richmondshire on Sunday.

Batting first, Bishops totalled 231-6, which included an unbeaten 130 by Amul Mazumdar. Clive Layfield was the most successful bowler in the Richmond attack, taking 3-54, while Christopher Layfield, Andy Fleming and Shanoka Dissanayake all took one wicket.

When they replied, Richmondshire conceded an early wicket, but Clive Layfield (47) and captain Andy Mollitt (69) put their side back into the ascendancy.

The good work was maintained by Mark Fleming with 47 but, following an exciting finale, Richmond were only 222-7, ten runs short of a winning margin.

Nevertheless, the 12 points gained lifted them two places up the table and they are now fourth from bottom.

Great Ayton, whose game at home to Middlesbrough was washed out, remain at the basement, 17 points adrift of Blackhall