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THREE successive wins have moved Guisborough into second, but it is not all good news at Fountains Garth.

They anxiously await a fitness report on captain and professional David Towse ahead of their game with fourth-top Darlington at Feethams.

"David telephoned last Sunday to say he would be unable to play at Richmondshire because of a hamstring injury. He is very doubtful for today's crucial match and tomorrow's visit to Dunnington in the ECB National Knockout Cup," said vice captain Gary Bolton.

Towse has played a leading role in Guisborough winning the championship in the last two seasons and his absence will be a tremendous blow since annually he concedes an average of just two runs an over.

"David not only takes a fair number of wickets but gives little away," added Bolton, who will play his 800th game for the club tomorrow when Chris Murray is unable to turn out.

Darlington are 30 points adrift of leaders Redcar and make two changes with Simon Guy, the Yorkshire second-team wicketkeeper and batsman, and Philip Buxton taking over from Paul Raine and Kevin Mott.

At the bottom, Thornaby are without a win in the League but will take heart from their outstanding victory over Guisborough in the Kerridge Cup on Thursday when Chris Nichols took six wickets.

They host Darlington RA with Mark Singleton and John Steele coming in for Colin Merryweather and Mark Bould, as captain Mark Bell attempts to steer his side away from the relegation zone.

RA captain David Eckels and Paul Freary were the playmakers when they overtook a big Richmondshire total in the Kerridge Cup.

After also beating Darlington in the Randall Orchard Cup in mid-week, RA aim to complete a hat-trick of wins within the space of four days, but will have to do so without Stephen Bell, whose place is filled by Graham Hird.

Middlesbrough, second from the basement, face a difficult game with Blackhall at Acklam Park. Blackhall are buoyed by their win against Darlington when Tony Booth struck form and he is in the side today as is David Brown, who replaces David Mole.

Bishop Auckland have Normanby Hall as visitors to Kingsway and they too show just one alteration.

Hiran Marambe, home from Leeds/Bradford University, is immediately included and Chris Pratt drops out of the line-up.

Mel Sykes has recovered from injury and is a straight replacement for the unavailable Tom Burke in the Hall side.

Andy Smith will keep wicket for Hartlepool against Richmondshire at Park Drive. Matthew Richardson is also named but both Neil Marsden and Ollie Jones are ruled out.

With captain Andy Mollitt and David Mathias sidelined and Mark Layfield doubtful, Richmond make at least a couple of changes with Martin Clark and Andrew Fleming listed to play.

Marske are unchanged for their home fixture with Northalleton, who will be keen to quickly erase the memory of last week's batting debacle.

Their game on Sunday was eventually washed out and they moved from fourth top to ninth position. John Sample for Jerry Hall is their only change at Marske.

The local-derby between Saltburn and Redcar could result in a close finish. The home side have lost just once while Redcar, who lead the table, are the only unbeaten team.

Both secured their places in the next round of the Kerridge Cup with convincing wins on Thursday.

In Division One, leaders Wolviston are at home to Stokesley and are still missing the injured Geoff Ward. Geoff Bluckert is also absent.

Billingham Synthonia, who are also involved in the race for the title, host Middlesbrough with Gary Burgam named to keep wicket.

Nigel Skerritt cannot play as Synners attempt to close in on Wolviston and second-placed Seaton Carew.