Darlington aim to keep the pressure on reigning champions and leaders Guisborough in the weekend's double programme. Following today's visit to Marske they entertain Normanby Hall at Feethams tomorrow and that back to back wins would give them a real chance of moving into pole position.

Pakistani Hanif-ur-Rehman has added a new dimension to Darlington's game and the side looks strong enough to sustain a challenge for the championship.

Not surprisingly, the same team which beat Hartlepool last weekend is again on duty this afternoon but tomorrow there is one change with Lee Hutton, who claimed three cheap wickets in Thursday's MacMillan Cup victory over Bedale, taking over from Duncan Johnson.

Guisborough, with a slender four points lead over Darlington, have a tricky programme travelling to third-top Normanby Hall before hosting Saltburn. They are without Saul Clifford for both matches and his replacement is Will McDougall.

Normanby Hall's form has been a revelation in the early weeks of the season but they will need to produce something special if they are to end Guisborough's long unbeaten run.

Their new professional Mohamed Zahid, who was with Esh Winning last season, has made an excellent start to take the Hall to their highest rating for some time. Andy Robson returns, taking over from Craig Addison.

Saltburn are almost certain to be in contention for the title and official Simon Walker says the club is satisfied with the start which has been made. "After playing Redcar on Saturday we are at Guisborough on Sunday. It is a big weekend, particularly Sunday's match since Guisborough are the team which everybody wants to beat."

Faz Ahmed returns for both matches and today Stuart Davies comes in for Martin Ellwood. Tomorrow, Davies cannot play but Ellwood is his ideal replacement.

Marske, too, are happy with their results from the early games and particularly pleased with the form of new professional Mohamed Fazil, who previously played in the Leeds and Ribblesdale Leagues.

Secretary Richard Sharratt reports that an unchanged side will be on duty at home to Darlington but that Robin Walker is ruled out of tomorrow's visit to Wolviston.

Having lost all four games played, newly-promoted Wolviston also bowed out of the MacMillan Cup when they went down by nine wickets to Guisborough. They meet Thornaby and Marske hoping for better results but they are depleted with the absence of Mark O'Neil, Jeff Ward, Paul Adamson and Jeff Peacock.

Danny Evans returns to lead Middlesbrough when Richmondshire and Blackhall visit Acklam Park. A debut is handed to John Crone, who has joined the club from the Newcastle area and Mark Foster resumes. Mike Gear and Ross Whatmore are named in the Second XI.

Blackhall miss Graeme Bell and Tony Booth for this afternoon's match with Hartlepool and David Langridge and David Penman take their places. Bell and Booth return tomorrow afternoon.

Northallerton skipper Ian Bell believes his side is playing better this season although form has been inconsistent.

"We have won just one match but we are competing against the better sides and I thought we gave a good performance at Guisborough last week," said Bell who includes Richard Chandler and John Gregory for the match at Darlington RA today.

Tomorrow, Gregory cannot play and his place is filled by John Sample for the visit of Thornaby, who show just one change for their two games with Chris Metcalfe coming in for the injured Mark Bould.

Hartlepool play Blackhall and Darlington RA with David Lamb welcomed back and taking over from Jack Wilkinson. Danny Shurma retains his place following his unbeaten innings against Darlington last weekend.

Richmondshire captain Clive Layfield was disappointed that his side's game with Thornaby was the only one to be called off last Saturday. "It stopped raining at 3pm but it was simply too wet to contemplate making a start. Everybody was very frustrated especially as the other six fixtures went ahead."

Richmond are at Middlesbrough today with an unchanged line-up while at Redcar tomorrow, Robbie Barker, who is home from University, replaces the unavailable Eddie Prentiss.

Colin Cartwright plays in both Darlington RA fixtures at home to Northallerton and against Hartlepool at Park Drive. Gerard Hull cannot turn out today and tomorrow he comes in for Andrew Russell in David Eckels' line-up.

Redcar make a couple of alterations to their line-up at Saltburn with Stephen Law and Darren Nalton replacing Stephen Hutchinson and Shaun McGarry.

And tomorrow, for the home fixture with Richmondshire, McGarry and Hutchinson resume, taking over from Andy Weatherall and Andy Hassack.