AN entertaining prospect is in store at Marton this afternoon, as the new Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League leaders welcome the current champions Barnard Castle.

Visiting skipper James Quinn said: “We are unchanged from last week’s win against Hartlepool. We are expecting an incredibly tough game, but we will be looking to put them under pressure with a positive performance. We are well into the season now and all the lads are looking forward to a top of the table event - we’ll be ready to go!”

Marton captain Alex Wardell added: “Matthew Connolly is out and in comes Luke Gettings. It’s been a great start to the season, but we know this week will be our toughest test to date, against the favourites for the league.”

Richmondshire are at home to Darlington and official Robert Carr said: “Unfortunately Josh Dowson will be missing from the team. He has been in excellent form with the ball, but he has a ticket for the Champions League final in Madrid. Matthew Price will come in from the second team, to replace him.

“We look forward to locking horns with former player Shaun Charlton and are hoping to maintain our winning record in the league at home.”

Darlington are unchanged from last Saturday and are hoping for a better performance, following a run of bad results in the league.

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Sacriston welcome Whitburn to Front Street and fixture secretary Iain Bestford commented: “Will Gidman is unavailable due to work commitments and is replaced by Daniel Anderson, who returns from holiday.

“We're hoping for an uninterrupted game, so we can try and build some momentum having had the game abandoned at half-time last weekend. Mel Betts is named in our squad, and we'll check on his fitness, as he continues his recovery from a calf injury.”

Eppleton are at Felling and home skipper Chris Nicholls said: “Alan Robson returns for Sean Rowell and it has been disappointing recently because of the rain, so it will be good to play some cricket at last, if the weather holds up.”

Chester-le-Street journey to Hetton Lyons. Skipper John Coxon said: “We are looking forward to visiting Hetton Lyons and will be trying to get back to winning ways, after we have been rained off the last few weeks. Liam Simpson and Brodie Glendinning return, but Andrew Bell is absent.”

In Division One of Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, second-placed Lanchester travel to Tynedale. Skipper Kieron Taylor, who is replaced by Lewis Donnelly, said: “We’ve had a recent success at Tynedale’ s ground and we are hoping for better weather, after a difficult couple of weeks.”

Leadgate are third in Division Two and they entertain Bates Cottages at Garden Place. The home side are just eight points behind Cowgate in second place and will be looking for the win, to maintain pressure on the top two teams.

Readers Durham Cricket League leaders Easington entertain Littletown and the home side have just one change this week, with David Tarn returning after attending a wedding last Saturday.

Littletown’s head of cricket development, Gregg Arundel said: “Matthew Dench is missing from the line up this week, and he will be a big miss, as he has begun the season in great form and is currently the league's top run scorer.

“We will continue with Aidan Chapplow at the top of the order and Bryan Conlon returns. The side is playing well and just missed out due to the weather last week against Durham City. Prior to that a three-run defeat at Marsden was hard to take.”

Tudhoe are at Bill Quay and need a positive result to steer away from the danger area. The home side will still be in touch at the top, if they win.