Although they have beaten championship contenders Guisborough and Redcar in their last two games, Bishop Auckland insist they have their feet firmly on the ground.

They have now moved into fifth position and cricket coordinator Paul Furby, who captained the side to their last Premier Division championship, claims that a top four position is the aim of the Kingsway team.

"We only came up from Division One last season and have done remarkably well. Defeating a couple of the teams in the running for the title has certainly boosted confidence and the club is buzzing, but realistically, pole position is still a long way off," said Furby.

Richard Hawthorn now has more than 800 runs to his credit, captain Darren Blenkiron has also played well and the club is happy with the performances of new professional Amul Mazundar.

"The three have been the backbone, but really it has been a team effort and when we have been without regulars, those who have come in have done a good job," enthused Furby, who reports that Keith Stones has recovered from a hand injury and Hiran Marambe is home from holiday for the visit of Richmondshire this afternoon.

Richmond too are enjoying a good season and are even on points with Bishops.

Their professional Shanoka Dissanayake has had a successful first season in the league and if he can lead Richmond to victory at Kingsway then his side would move up to fifth - their highest rating for some time. With Ben Biker unavailable, the visitors bring in Christopher Snowden.

Guisborough, defending a narrow two-point lead over Redcar at the top of the table, face Middlesbrough at Acklam Park. After defeating rival championship challengers Saltburn in their last game it is not surprising that the Fountains Garth club announce an unchanged team.

Middlesbrough, who have moved off the bottom with a couple of victories, make several changes. Former captain Danny Evans, Mattie Brown, Brett Roberts and Mark Croft are all named in place of Ben Hutchinson, David Aninakwah, Chris Murdoch and Mark Foster.

Saltburn, now third, host Blackhall with Amar Ditta the ideal replacement for the injured John Wyatt. Blackhall have enjoyed a topsy turvy season but are now in the top half of the table and with only two defeats in 15 outings have proved a difficult side to beat.

In fact, they have drawn more matches than any other side and at Saltburn are strengthened with the inclusion of Ricky Darwin and Mark Cushlow, who replace Philip Bell and David Brown.

Redcar, just a couple points adrift of Guisborough, are at home to fourth Marske in the derby.

The home side are unchanged, but Marske show several alterations. Steve Larkin is having football trials with Livingstone and also absent are Neil Coverdale and Ben Walker. Ian Coverdale, free from injury, Michael Burrows and Rashid replace the trio. No doubt Redcar will be mindful that last year Marske just failed to clinch the championship.

Darlington RA go to Northallerton unable to include Paul Freary and Andrew Russell so Jimmy Middleton and Gary Thompson are given their chance in David Eckels' line-up.

Northallerton are too close to the bottom for comfort. But while they welcome the return of captain Ian Gill, Richard Chandler cannot turn-out. Another change sees Danny Luck replace Dennis Norman.

The two teams at the bottom, Thornaby and Normanby Hall, are in opposition with just five points separating them. Hall, who have ground advantage, include Ahmed for Ramzan while the visitors line up Paul Merryweather, Malcolm Muldowney and Spence for Chris Metcalfe, Michael Ward and Matt Dex.

Darlington have slid down the table and are now only five places from the bottom ahead of the visit from Hartlepool to Feethams.

Danny Page, the regular stumper, has dropped down into the second team carrying an injury and also out is Kevin Mott. It could be that Yorkshire's Simon Guy, who kept wicket against Durham at Riverside this week, will play his first game as wicketkeeper although he has starred in most games as a batsman.

A boost to the chances of Darlington to secure a much-needed victory is the inclusion of Richard Biddle and Matthew Morgans.

Pool's only change sees Ian Jackson come in for Ian Palmer