THERE is a double programme in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League premier division during the holiday weekend and Monday's game between last season's runners-up Saltburn and champions Guisborough should give a pointer to the title aspirations of both sides.

Guisborough, who first play Northallerton at Fountains Garth tomorrow, are unchanged from the side which made a winning start last weekend. Saltburn host Hartlepool in their first match and are strengthened by the return of Tony Bell and Richie Storr, who take over from Shaun McCabe and John Wyatt.

For their double with Bishop Auckland at Feethams and at Northallerton, Darlington show just one change, with Neil Pratt coming in for the unavailable Derek Coates.

Darlington RA are happy to field the same side for their double with Great Ayton and Bishop Auckland. They will line up against Ayton's new professional, Sri Lankan Milan Gunaratne, a left-hand opening batsman and right-arm spinner.

He plays in the same side as Richmondshire's pro Shanoka Dissanayake, who jetted in on Wednesday and will play twice against Marske. In an unusual circumstance, the two sides play each other twice over the weekend.

Marske make several changes, lining up Steve Larkin, Robert Walker and Gary Lynch. For Monday's game, Ben Walker resumes in place of Robin Walker.

Gerry Hall replaces Albert Aurelius in the Northallerton side to play Guisborough and Darlington, while Redcar miss Steve Law for their double with Normanby Hall and Middlesbrough. He is in Australia for the wedding of Corrie Richards, who was Redcar's professional in 1996.

Normanby Hall are hoping that their professional Mohammed Zahid will arrive from Pakistan to turn out at home to Redcar and at Hartlepool.

James Beaumont is in the Nottingham Forest squad and misses Middlesbrough's game with Blackhall at Acklam Park.

Mattie Brown is his replacement and, for Monday's game at Redcar, Beaumont returns in place of Brown.

Guisborough, who have won the championship in the last three seasons, were pleased with their performance against Hartlepool at Park Drive, especially as new professional Imran Jan had to retire when batting.

"He was hit on the inside of the knee in attempting to play a ball down the legside. Imran felt uncomfortable and it was thought best for him to leave the field, but fortunately it is not a serious injury," said Guisborough chairman Dave Norminton.

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