National Premier League, North-East Region: Tennis World Middlesbrough and Ripon who took the bottom two qualifying places in the Northern Division recently will need to be on top form in their away contests against the leading pair of the Southern Division, namely Lancashire Racquets and Sheffield, as the inter-division play-off gets under way tomorrow.

The Teesside club's team is as yet uncertain depending on three injured players recovering in time, so this squad of six was announced: Nigel Beavers, Andrew Deeley, Mark Franklin, Nigel Garton, Richard Love and Brent Parker. The opponents Sheffield are also past champions of the North-East region and will be tough competitors.

Ripon, meanwhile, have their strongest line-up available with David Drake and Doug Keen as first pair. these two have together lost only once in three seasons. Second couple is Will Brannan and Andy O'Donnell.

The team from Middleton in Greater Manchester topped the south groups and will be formidable opposition as Ripon won two fixtures only out of seven and just squeezed into the play-off in fifth place.

Defending champions Esporta Sunderland face David Lloyd Leeds with Sean Galpin, Ainsley Kershaw, Adam Barratclough and Nathan Lundy. David Lloyd Newcastle are at home to Doncaster and also have their top four players available namely James Nelson, Michael Ratcliffe, Anru Alabidi and Sean Damer.