Darlington RA, who have struggled for more years than anyone cares to remember, visit Normanby Hall this afternoon with skipper David Eckels rallying his side on.

"Keep up the form you have shown in the last six weeks and we can finish in the top half of the table," said an exuberant Eckels.

"Only four other sides have won more matches than us and if we maintain the momemtum, we can finish in our best position for many seasons. We have played really well recently and easily defeated Marske last Saturday but there is still half the season to go and we cannot afford to be complacent."

Eckels is delighted that for the first time this year he is able to announce an unchanged, full-strength side. Normanby Hall have Graham Robinson and Chris Hobday resuming in place of Mike Pinder and Andy Harrow.

The game of the day is between Hartlepool and Guisborough at Park Drive. Pool were full value for their win over second-top Saltburn last weekend when they scored in excess of 250 batting second mainly as a result of a superb innings from Steve Chapman.

Not unnaturally, the home side announce an unchanged team and more of the same from Chapman and captain John Cannon, who made a valuable 68 in the win at Saltburn, could spell problems for the leaders.

Guisborough face a hectic three days but their minds will be concentrated on points today when they are unchanged defending an unbeaten record.

Tomorrow they host Middlesbrough in the final of the prestigious MacMillan Cup with Phil Ramage coming in for Graham Murray and on Monday night, are again at home, this time to South Northumberland for the re-arranged Regional Final of the ECB National Knockout Cup.

Darlington retained third position when they won with their last pair at the wicket and from the final ball of the game against Redcar last weekend.

They face another difficult test when they line up with Middlesbrough at Acklam Park showing two changes with Lee Craggs and Paul Raine replacing Danny Morgans and Richie Biddle.

Danny Evans, who was not expected to play last Saturday, in the event was able to turn out and he leads Boro again today in a side which includes Mattie Brown for Janisar Hussain.

Second-top Saltburn, now 18 points adrift of Guisborough, visit bottom-of-the-table Wolviston, who are still without a win. A double blow to the Seasiders is the unavailability of Tony Bell and John Wyatt, who has a hand injury.

Blackhall show a number of changes to their line-up for the visit of Richmondshire. Graham Bell, Craig Gilmour and John Darby all line up taking over for Anthony Gray, Mark Cushlow and Ricki Darwin.

Clive Layfield is delighted he is able to field an unchanged side for the first time this season.

Marske cannot call upon Ben Walker for their home fixture with Thornaby and Redcar have Adam Law taking over from his older brother Steve in their home game with Northallerton. The visitors also keep changes to a minimum and Ian Gill is back to lead the side, with Dennis Norman the player to make way.

In Division One, Darlington are minus Phil Buxton but Danny Morgans and Richie Biddle line up against Middlesbrough at Feethams. The visitors are weakened by the absence of Guy and Ross Whatmore and Max Cook.

Bishop Auckland enhanced their promotion prospects when they were the only side to complete a fixture in last Sunday's rain-affected programme. The 20 points they gained at the expense of Guisborough should put them in good heart for today's match with Bedale at Kingsway.

Second-top Great Ayton go to second-bottom Stokesley and Seaton Carew, who are also in the title frame have an attractive home match with Marton with just 13 points separating the pair.