Marske could make a significant impact on the destination of the championship trophy in the next couple of weeks.

After stifling Guisborough's title challenge last weekend, they meet leaders Saltburn today and a week tomorrow host Redcar, who are in third place.

"We gave a very good account of ourselves in last week's game with Guisborough who gained eight points against the 13 we won.

"We aim to not only stall the challenges of Saltburn and Redcar but at the same time improve our position in the top half of the table," declared Marske's cricket secretary Richard Sharratt.

Marske hope to build on their recent promising form and are boosted by the return of Robin Walker from holiday and Mike Catchpole, who was working last weekend.

Phil Goldsbrough and James Riley are the players to make way and they are included in the second team.

Saltburn will take some beating if they produce the performance given when they toppled Redcar last weekend. Faz Ahmed, who had to withdraw from the attack against Redcar, is doubtful with a hamstring injury and if he is unable to play, Shaun Storey will fill the vacancy.

Second-top Guisborough are 19 points adrift of Saltburn but are without three regular players for the visit to rejuvenated Hartlepool. Johnnie May, Gary Bolton and Richard Dove are all ruled out so brothers Graham and Chris Murray together with Will McDougal are promoted.

Hartlepool, who only a few weeks ago were struggling against relegation, are now half way up the table and there is no doubt that the signing of Pakistani Aaley Haider has been an astute move.

He has produced good form with both bat and ball and a closely-contested game is anticipated at Park Drive even though Pool are still minus John Fitzgerald whose replacement continues to be Paul Jackson.

Middlesbrough host Richmondshire and welcome the return of James Beaumont who has received rave reviews for his performances with the England Under-15 team. Paul Cook drops out of the side captained by Danny Evans, who together with Alex Roberts has been selected for the league team visiting the Cheshire League tomorrow in the semi final of the President's Cup.

Andy Mollett reports just one change to the Richmondshire line-up with Chris Hill immediately recalled in place of Dave Lawson.

It has been a topsy turvy season for Bishop Auckland, who started badly, recovered well but are now back in the relegation dog fight. They visit Blackhall who have a mountain to climb if they are to have any chance of rekindling their title aspirations.

Bishops have Sushan Marambe and Andrew Brennan resuming, taking the places of Frank Smith and Jason Budd while Blackhall bring in Paul Moss and Colin Watts is named for the second team.

The Collierymen are still missing captain Mark Cushlow along with Billy Hornby.

Darren Hickey has football commitments and Keith Barker is attending a wedding so the pair miss Darlington's match with Thornaby at Feethams.

Peter Mellor drops into the second team and Simon Whitehead, Peter Bentley and Chris Lawrence are promoted.

Thornaby, too, make changes with Stephen Cuthbert and Gary Sexton coming into Neil Marsden's side. Phil Gallacher is unavailable and 15-year old Stewart Moore is named in the second team.

Darlington RA captain Peter Eckels sticks with the same team at home to Redcar who have not given up hope of clinching the championship in their 150th year.

Darren Nalton is sidelined and Martin Reeves steps into the Redcar line-up.

Northallerton, as is their custom, are forced to make a number of alterations to the side visiting Normanby Hall. David Elliott, John Place and John Gregory have all returned from holidays and Richard Chandler is also named.

Peter Guy and Chris Barnes are included in the second team while both Chris Wayman and Barnaby Heap are unavailable.

Normanby Hall captain Brian Leach has a dislocated finger and is struggling, his side desperately needing points to avoid relegation.

Tomorrow, Normanby Hall will be at home to Hartlepool.

The game has been brought forward from the last Saturday of the season to give the Hall more time to carry out improvements to the pitch.

Normanby Hall hope to be unchanged while Hartlepool welcome the return of John Fitzpatrick who takes over from John Cannon, another player also in the league side against Cheshire.

Billingham Synthonia defend a 13-points lead at the top of Division One when they play at Great Ayton tomorrow. Skipper Denis Wing reports that Chris Atkinson is available again and takes over from Peter Wilson.

Barnard Castle visit Northallerton minus Andrew Toulson andJohn Ashworth but David Stanwix is expected to have returned from holiday in time to play.

Northallerton include Peter Guy and Chris Barnes, who have moved down from the first team.

Marton, in third place, have a lot to do if they are to overtake the Synners and Barnard Castle but they have not given up hope.

They are at home to Marske but unfortunately are unable to call upon Mark Ditchburn, Gary Knight, Andy Walker and Graham Scanlon. Paul Hill, Nick McLoin and Paul Squires are called into the team.

First-team squad players Phil Goldsbrough and James Riley come into the Marske side to the exclusion of John Bulman and David Lightwing.

Robert Jones and David Weighell resume for Stokesley, taking the places of Ian West and James Umpleby, in the home game with Middlesbrough whose only alteration is the return of Paul Cook to Mattie Brown's side.

Darlington visit unchanged Wolviston with Colin Biglin, Paul Whiteside, Max Ripley and Peter Mellor all named in a strong line-up

Chris Suttill resumes to captain Hartlepool at Guisborough, taking the place of John Wilkinson