Leading clubs top of exciting double bill

9:37am Saturday 14th June 2008

AN EXTRA helping of top-level league cricket awaits followers as Premier Division sides get to grips with a double programme.

And there is no doubting the top game as Guisborough entertain Middlesbrough tomorrow.

The pair have already broken away from the rest, Boro heading the table by 12 points from the Priorymen, with Richmond 35 points further back.

Today the pair will be looking to maintain their placings, with Boro taking on Marske at Acklam Park and Guisborough travelling to play Normanby Hall.

The leaders are likely to be little changed for their matches, but the Fountains Garth outfit will give a league debut to new signing Martin Hood, who confirmed his rich promise with an unbeaten 90 last Sunday when Durham Senior League side Horden were put to the sword in a cup tie.

It is not all good news for Guisborough as it is likely Graham Murray could miss the rest of the season due to work commitments, so the fact that Yorkshire Academy star Chris Allinson should be available this week is a boost.

They are looking forward to the return to the fold of allrounder Chris Murray in early July. To add extra spice, Durham's Mark Davies is virtually certain to make his league debut for Normanby today.

Despite all the batting power on display the key to tomorrow's game could lie with the bowlers.

For Boro, Chetnya Nanda is in a familiar position as the league's leading wicket-taker, having already bagged 31, however Neil Russell easily heads the averages with 29 victims at a cost of just 11.79 apiece, with 94 maidens from 146 overs bowled.

It could also be a make or break weekend for Redcar. After picking up their first win of the season last Saturday, their position at the bottom did not improve as the sides above them also won.

They have home advantage today when Great Ayton visit and then they go to Marske. John Davis and Craig Potter play in the first match as Andy Wetherall and Shaun McGarry are on holiday, while Tim Hood will play in tomorrow's game.

Hartlepool face two away trips in their battle to keep away from relegation danger, going first to Bishop Auckland and then Northallerton.

They are without the services of key man Mike Gough, who is on first-class umpiring duties, and Richie Lloyd who is out for some time after fracturing his knuckle in a cup tie this week.

Tyler Temple and Ian Walker will play after some successes in the second team.

Bishops have two home games against weakened opposition - following the Pools match they entertain a Marton side who will be missing Graham Shaw, Chris Lane, Mike Croft and Tom Chadwick.

The Kingsway outfit have Guy Wilkes, Jack Conway and Colin Barker back for both matches and will be looking to push on after fully recovering from their early-season nightmares.

Gary Pratt has been their inspiration and, according to director of cricket, Paul Furby, the ex-Durham man, currently fourth in the league run-makers list with an average of 57, has displayed an exemplary attitude.

Richmondshire are finding it hard to rekindle their string of successes which gave them a stunning start to the season, and their matches at Northallerton and Billingham will look somewhat more daunting than they would have a few weeks ago, although they do have a settled side.

Mark Cowell misses today's game for Northallerton although he returns tomorrow, and Ian Gill is expected to pass a late fitness test.

The Synners start with a trip to Blackhall and have Martin Cull, Simon Driver and Danny Nowell back, although skipper Dave Fairley will miss tomorrow's match.

Blackhall end their programme at Great Ayton and have Owen Gwyn in the side after missing today.

Ayton start their double with an unchanged side, but keeper Jon Grainge is working tomorrow so John Russell will put the gloves on and John Doyle junior will make his seasonal first team debut.

Marske's revolving door keeps on spinning, Lee Powell replacing the injured Andy Bachelor today, and Craig Gratton and Chris Lince stepping in tomorrow in place of Guy Whatmore and John Meredith.

Darlington are unchanged for both their match at Marton today, and the home game with Normanby tomorrow.

In Division One, the Quakers' seconds top the table after a win last week over former pacesetters Saltburn, and they take on Middlesbrough at Feethams today.

Fourteen points further back four teams are separated by just two points. Second-placed Stokesley entertain Darlington RA, Barnard Castle also have home advantage against Wolviston, Saltburn travel to Richmond and Thornaby are at Guisborough.

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