AFTER losing to Marske last Saturday, Darlington will hope for a better result against Redcar when the sides meet in the premier division at Feethams tomorrow.

They show just one change in their line-up with Simon Whitehead coming in for Carl McGregor, while Redcar make two alterations.

Shaun McGarry has recovered from injury and Darren Nalton is free from work commitments. The pair replace Stephen Robson and Ross Douglas, who drop into the second team.

Darlington RA have Middlesbrough as visitors to Brinkburn Road. Paul Freary, who has not played for a couple of weeks, resumes, with Steve Russell dropping back into the second team.

Billingham Synthonia face four-times champions Guisborough for the second time in a week. Last Saturday's game at Fountains Garth was washed out and the pair will be hoping for better weather in the return fixture.

Synners show three changes. James Manners, Mark Bartley and Gary Burghum are all named, taking over from Dave Fairley, Phil Wood and Mattie Humphrey.

Normanby Hall - and their professional, Mohammed Zahid - have made a good start to the season.

Zahid was in outstanding all-round form last weekend and, if he produces a similar performance tomorrow, Great Ayton could find it difficult.

It's been a rags to riches first few weeks of the season for Marske, who were all out for fewer than 50 runs on bank holiday Monday when they failed to score until the last ball of the 11th over at Guisborough.

But they bounced back in the best possible way last weekend, defeating Darlington with wickets and overs to spare.

Rob Nicol was the architect of Marske's six-wicket victory. When Darlington batted first, he claimed 5-43 in 15 overs, five of them maidens. With support from Richard Rennard with 3-29, the visitors were all out in 33.1 overs for just 100. James Alderson top-scored with 37.

Nicol then batted throughout Marske's reply, hitting one six and five boundaries in an unbeaten 56 made from 68 deliveries. The Seasiders required just 18 overs to meet their target, although Alderson also starred with the ball for Darlington, returning figures of 4-27 in seven overs.

Mohammed Zahid was another professional in outstanding all-round form, leading Normanby Hall to a six-wicket win at home to Northallerton.

He bowled unchanged for 25 overs, taking 3-56, and, although Mark Stainsby batted throughout the innings for an undefeated 74, including eight boundaries, the visitors were restricted to 161-8 from their 50 overs.

Normanby Hall required just 22.3 overs at the crease as Zahid struck four sixes and three fours, carrying his bat for 74.

Darlington RA suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Bishop Auckland at Kingsway. Danny Page (31) and Phil Crowther (30) scored most of the runs in a total of 102 which took 45.3 overs to compile.

Although Ritander Sodhi bowled an economical 20 overs, returning 3-38, Bishops won by seven wickets as Matthew Brown struck 50 not out.

Middlesbrough were 153-8 when bad light stopped play in their game with Hartlepool at Acklam Park.

Michael Ball recorded a couple of sixes and ten fours in 67 and Danny Birkett made 37. Earlier, Pools reached 196-6 in 49 overs.

Rain badly affected the other three games. Only 21.1 overs were bowled by Richmondshire at Redcar, who were 68-1, Saltburn were seven for the loss of one wicket in their home fixture with Great Ayton, while Billingham Synthonia had scored just four runs when rain washed out their game at Guisborough