THERE is a double programme in the premier division, with newly-installed leaders Guisborough visiting Bishop Auckland before hosting Darlington in what promises to be a difficult weekend.

A blow to Guisborough's chances is the unavailability of captain David Towse, who regularly bowls a lengthy, economical and successful spell. His absence is certain to be felt in the attack.

Second-top Saltburn have home advantage against Great Ayton and Darlington RA and are boosted by being able to field an unchanged line-up.

Ayton no doubt wish they could transform their cup form into the league, where they currently occupy bottom position having failed to win in 12 attempts. But on Tuesday they took another top scalp when they defeated South Shields in the DRV Challenge Cup.

At Saltburn, they are without Dan Doughty and James Marshall so Stephen Hunton and David Collins are drafted into the line-up. Doughty and Marshall return for Sunday's game at home to Redcar.

Third-top Bishop Auckland have only one game since their fixture scheduled for Sunday will be played on July 18. They are 17 points adrift of Guisborough, so a good result at Kingsway tomorrow is important. Keith Stones is sidelined with an injury and his brother Paul is promoted to deputise.

For their double at home to Darlington RA and at Guisborough, Darlington cannot call upon Duncan Johnson. RA visit Saltburn on Sunday and, with Andrew Chisholm having flown back to Australia and Michael Bean unavailable, Graham Hird and Mark Barker fill the vacancies.

Richmondshire have Clive Layfield taking over from Graham Thistlethwaite for their only game at home to Blackhall, who include Anthony Grey and Mark Cushlow for Paul Webster and Philip Bell. After travelling to Richmond, Blackhall host Marske.

Northallerton welcome the return of captain Ian Gill and Richard Chandler at home to Middlesbrough and Normanby Hall, which means Dennis Norman and George Kay dropping into the seconds.

Marske play Hartlepool at Park Drive and are also away on Sunday at Blackhall. Mike Catchpole cannot play, but John Wiltshire has recovered from injury and is the ideal replacement.

Redcar are happy to rely on the same XI selected for their last game when they host Normanby Hall before going to Great Ayton, while Middlesbrough are without captain Martin Ball for their games at Northallerton and at Hartlepool.

Brenton Parchment will lead the side and, with James Beaumont also out, John Paul Price and Darren Riley step up.

Guisborough moved to the top of the table when they defeated previous incumbents Saltburn by four wickets at Fountains Garth last Saturday.

The Seasiders made a useful 144-6 on a rain-affected wicket, but Guisborough's batsmen rose to the challenge to secure a crucial morale-boosting victory.

Paul Ramage struck form with the bat for Saltburn, contributing 73, while none did better in the home attack than Richard Dunn, whose three wickets, including that of Ramage, cost just 24 runs.

Guisborough suffered one or two early setbacks following the dismissal of Saul Clifford. Dunn was run out without scoring, but Imran Jan held the innings together.

He found a partner in Paul Goodchild (22) and afterwards David Towse ended unbeaten on 19 to help his side into pole position.

One-time leaders Northallerton are down to fifth, but still only 22 points adrift of Guisborough in what has developed into an extremely close race for the championship.

Northallerton took just three points from their game at Marske, who won with five wickets intact. Rob Nicol was their match-winner with the bat, scoring 59, with three sixes and seven boundaries, out of a total of 123-5 made in 30.1 overs.

Jonathan Barnes sent down 15.1 overs, returning 2-51, and Doug Mulholland had 2-24 from seven overs.

When they made first use of the wicket, Northallerton ended with 122-8 from the maximum 34 overs. Barnes top-scored with 35, while Nicol, Richie Rennard and Stuart Mackay all took two wickets for Marske.

Middlesbrough had 66 runs to spare defeating Great Ayton at Acklam Park. Guy Whatmore (46), Brenton Parchment (37) and Colin Haslett (32) led Boro to an impressive 180-8 in 39 overs. David Pennock returned the outstanding figures of 5-12 in five overs for Great Ayton.

When they went into bat, Great Ayton were all out for 114 in 34.2 overs. Glen Mudd (41) and John Doyle (32) top-performed, but the bowling of Jack Conway, with 5-29 in ten overs, and Matt Brown (3-36) proved decisive.

Normanby Hall and Bishop Auckland were involved in an exciting game, which ended all square. Replying to a target of 130, Bishops were 119-9 from 28 overs. Amul Mazumdar (38) and Ben Usher (48) raised hopes, but Mohamed Zahid almost snatched victory for the Hall with 5-37 in 14 overs.

The Hall batsmen also found run-making difficult and, in a reduced innings of 39 overs, reached just 129-8, which included 35 by David Cross.

On a day when bowlers dominated, Phil Timmens bowled unchanged, returning 4-47 in 20 overs, and Richard Hawthorn had 4-61 from 15 overs.

The game between Redcar and Richmondshire was evenly poised at the end. Neil Russell and Mally Whitehead both scored half centuries in Redcar's total of 199-3, which also included a useful 31 from opener Martin Hood.

Replying, Richmond never seriously threatened, but an unbeaten 36 by David Mathias took them to 151-7. Four of the wickets were claimed by Russell at a cost of 48 runs.

No play was possible in the local derby between Darlington RA and Darlington at Feethams or in the fixture at Blackhall, where Hartlepool were the visitors