Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League, Premier Division: Darlington have made an indifferent start to the season but their fortunes will surely soon improve if Aaron Heal maintains his outstanding form.
The Australian has impressed since the day he arrived at Feethams and three innings in four days last weekend confirmed he is a class act with the bat.
On Saturday, he hit an unbeaten 120 against Bishop Auckland, reaching his century by crashing 29 from one over. A four and four sixes flowed to take him to three figures and he then took a single from the last ball.
On Monday, he ended unbeaten on 60 and in Tuesday's Yours For Ever Saunders Cup tie with Willington he added 30 not out to his rapidly growing run-total.
"Aaron has done exceptionally well since the start of the season and recently has shown exhilarating form. His batting in the two league matches was a joy to watch and it's just a pity that we failed to win either of them," observed secretary Stephen Charlton.
Today, Darlington visit second-top Hartlepool with only one win in eight games to their credit. They have drawn four and lost three of the other seven fixtures.
Their only change is the inclusion of Danny Morgans for Simon Lee while Pools are happy to field the same XI who were on duty for last weekend's double programme.
"We have made a really good start with five wins out of eight and are second, just a couple of points off the top. Thara Gunarathne has done really well for us and there's no doubt he is enjoying life at Park Drive," claimed fixture secretary Bill Shurmer.
Leaders Bishop Auckland meet Guisborough in the match of the day at Kingsway.
"We are happy with our form so far but I could do with winning the toss more often. We have drawn six and won two of our eight matches but obviously we need a good result today," said Guisborough captain Richard Dunn. Saul Clifford cannot play but Chris Allinson is an ideal replacement.
Northallerton are third ahead of the visit from Redcar. Not unnaturally, the home side field an unchanged line-up which includes Liam Botham but Redcar, beset by injuries so far, are not as fortunate.
Skipper Shaun McGarry is still out with a torn muscle and Dave Rixon and Martin Reeves are sidelined. Robbie Whelan and Mally Whitehead fill the vacancies.
"We moved off the bottom when we won for the first time last Saturday but despite scoring 200 in Monday's game still lost. The good thing though is that the lads are sticking together and we are confident we will continue to climb up the table,"said McGarry.
Darlington RA, one of two sides yet to win, are at the basement and they face another difficult test when Richmondshire visit Brinkburn Road.
Durham County's Mark Davies celebrated his debut taking six wickets when Richmond defeated champions Saltburn last Saturday and he claimed another two in Monday's game at Northallerton.
He is again available this afternoon which could spell trouble for the RA batsmen who were bowled out for only 69 and 114 in the holiday games.
Clive Layfield is still unavailable and with Jamie Stead ruled out, Richmond bring in Clifton Jacobs who played a few first team games last season.
Marton show no alteration to their side at home to Normanby Hall who could hand a debut to Abdul Shakoor.
He is a wicket keeper batsman and his last club was Dunfermline.
Andrew Maguire is another player to be given his first outing for Middlesbrough at home to Great Ayton. Guy Whatmore returns with the pair replacing Andrew Taylor and Darren Birkett.
Great Ayton, pleased with their form during only their second season in the top flight are fifth, one of just four sides unbeaten.
Marske go to Saltburn and welcome wicketkeeper Stephen Larkin back from injury.
Ian West's eight for 15 in Monday's match at Darlington RA was the fourth-best bowling analysis in Stokesley's history but he was unable to match the all-time record of nine for 18 created by his dad Chris in 1972.
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