Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: Great Ayton have an early opportunity to avenge last Sunday's Kerridge Cup final defeat when they again meet Saltburn this afternoon, writes, Malcolm Pratt.

Although the leaders finished comfortable 75 runs ahead, Ayton still produced a good performance.

"It was a learning exercise for us and we made a game of it. They are a very good side and on the day were the better team" said Ayton's David Pennock.

Great Ayton will need to be at their very best if they are to inflict defeat on championship favourites Saltburn.

Ayton are third but 82 points adrift of their rivals although they do have a game in hand. Glen Mudd returns but John Grainge cannot play and Mark Bashford will keep wicket. Chris French drops into the Second XI.

Ayton will be led by David Grainge and the Doyle brothers Anthony and John both make the line-up as does Thara Gunarathne, who is a player capable of causing problems for Saltburn.

The Seasiders are well on course to complete a league and cup double. They have lost just once and with 12 wins have tasted success four times more than any other side. They have a 49-points lead over Guisborough although they have played one game more than the Fountains Garth side, who are attempting to win the title for a fifth consecutive season.

Guisborough name an unchanged line-up for the visit from Normanby Hall who are stronger with the inclusion of Graham Robinson and Najeeb Ramzan.

The Hall, comfortably placed in the top half of the table leave out Michael Addison and Matty Hurran Fourth-top Bishop Auckland miss Robert Nevison when Marske visit Kingsway.

The Seasiders show several alterations with Paul Smith, Jack Hugill and Neil Coverdale coming in for unavailable trio Ben Walker, Stephen Larkin and Brian Lazenby.

Darlington RA are pleased with their performances this season and are sixth before their fixture with Redcar at Brinkburn Road. With Nigel Whalley unavailable RA promote Colin Cartwright who recently scored 135 for the seconds, a career best. Martin Reeves resumes in a full strength Redcar line-up.

Northallerton, too near the bottom for comfort, entertain Hartlepool who are just one place above them. The home side are unchanged, while Pools bring in Ian Palmer for Paul Johnson.

Billingham Synthonia line up against Darlington, who show a number of changes. Simon Whitehead is unavailable and both Derek Coates and Dale Thomas revert to the second XI. Although Lee Hutton resumes he is not sufficiently fit to keep wicket and Mark Dobinson will don the gloves. Paul Raine is also named in a strong side.

Richmondshire are second from the basement ahead of their home game with Middlesbrough. Neither Ben Biker nor Robbie Barker can play so Andy Dade and Denham Marshall are drafted in from the second XI. Middlesbrough are fifth from bottom and they go into the game minus captain Martin Ball but Brett Roberts and Janisar Hussain are able to turn out.

Tall Trees Hotel MacMillan Cup Final

Normanby Hall host tomorrow's Tall Trees Hotel MacMillan Cup Final against Hartlepool. It is the 13th and last final of the season in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League.

Normanby Hall defeated Sedgefield and Richmondshire on their way to the final, while Pools saw off Stokesley and Middlesbrough.

The Trophy - presented by the then Member of Parliament for Stockton, Harold MacMillan, in 1936 - has been won five times by Normanby Hall, while Hartlepool have lifted the Trophy on three occasions.

The most memorable final in the 69-year history of the competition was in 1991 when Hartlepool won off the last ball in a game which did not end until nine minutes past 10.

"Needless to say, I'm hoping that this match doesn't last that long," said League president Chris West.

"With fine weather forecast, I'm looking forward to a good gate and for a high-scoring match."

Normanby Hall: Dave Cross (capt), Neil Pearson, Lee Sykes, Stephen McNicholas, Graham Robinson, Andrew Harrow, Geoff Robinson, Talib Ramzan, Najeeb Ramzan, Farukh Ahmed, Mohamed Zahid. 12th man: Matthew Hurran.

Hartlepool: Michael Gough (capt), Danny Shurmer, Johnny Cannon, Stephen Sergeant, Jack Wilkinson, Richie Evans, Andy Carter, Ian Jackson, Ashley Day, Andy Smith, Ian Palmer. 12th man: John Gott.