ON THE FINAL day of the season, it’s all to play for. Every game in today’s fixture list affects either the promotion or relegation issues.
Leaders Barnard Castle have a four-point lead, and a maximum 25-point home win over Marton will give them the title.
Skipper James Quinn said: “We are unchanged from last week. We are expecting a huge crowd at Vere Road and the lads are excited to get out there and play some tough cricket.
“Last week we showed unbelievable grit and determination to come from a tough position to get 25 important points. We will make sure this week that our focus is only on the cricket at Barney and we hopefully finish with a positive result.”
Marton are unchanged when they played well without professional Aamer Sajjad who has gone home.
Great Ayton are second and face Hartlepool at Leven Park. Skipper Jon Grainge said: “It’s all or nothing this week, and although it’s out of our hands we know we can keep the pressure on”
Pools are not mathematically safe yet, but they do hold a healthy 21-point cushion over second bottom Marske.
Secretary Michael Gough snr said: “We make one change, with 17-year old Josh Vaughan replacing James Piper who has returned to University. We face a very strong team who are very much in contention to win the league and are full of match winners, so we need to be at our very best.”
Richmondshire are third, 10 points behind the leaders and they travel to Thornaby. Skipper Gary Pratt said: “Craig Swainston is out, but Steven Mather returns. We will play positive cricket and hope results go our way.”
Thornaby skipper Paul Allen said: “We have two changes, as Harvey Spaxman and Lewis Beaumont return to the second team, for their title decider with Marton - replaced by Tom Bell and a first team debut for junior cricketer Jack Donovan. The aim of the club at the start of the season was for the first team to consolidate their Premier League status, so we have done that.”
The relegation dogfight has more complications than the title race.
Bishop Auckland will be relegated if they fail to win at Seaton Carew, or if Marske glean eight points from their game at home to Darlington.
Marske are 17 points adrift of third-bottom Middlesbrough, and welcome Darlington to Windy Hill Lane, and nothing but a win will do.
However, they have another chance of survival - if Richmondshire seconds finish in the top two of Division One and they lie second.
Middlesbrough face Stokesley at Acklam Park knowing that nine points will keep them up.
Skipper Leigh Beaumont said: “Adil Ditta comes in for a crucial last game, to add some more experience to the batting line up. Jamie Burke returns having missed last week to strengthen the bowling and a good result is required.”
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