Fired-up Saltburn face an anxious wait before they can get their bid to become Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League champions back on track after torrential rain put this weekend's cricket into serious doubt.

Saltburn were desperate to get back into action today against Darlington RA following the League's decision to suspend Adil Ditta for 28 days.

But with more rain forecast and pitches already saturated it is highly unlikely that any play will be possible.

Originally, the talented all-rounder was banned for the remainder of the season when it was alleged that he had used foul and abusive language and dissent towards an umpire, but the penalty was reduced on appeal.

"Everybody at the club is very disappointed at the decision but we will just have to live with it," said official Simon Walker.

"The lads are determined to show their support for Adil and pull out all the stops. The entire club is rallying around and we aim to give it our best shot."

There could well be another twist to the controversy surrounding the cancellation of Hylton's game with Houghton last Sunday in the Boddington's Durham Coast League.

It was the second attempt to fulfil the fixture and when Houghton said they were unable to field a side, League Secretary Cliff Jones awarded 20 points to Hylton which took them into pole position.

But following complaints from challenging clubs, it is expected that the League will again decree that the match should be played.

Today, Murton visit championship rivals Peterlee whose secretary Roy Simpson is under no illusion as to the importance of the game.

"It is a big match for both clubs. Positions at the top have changed all season and the outcome of today's fixture will undoubtedly have a big bearing on the end-of-season race for the title," claimed Simpson.

In the Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League, South Northumberland captain Adam Heather is firmly of the opinion that the race for the championship is wide open despite Benwell Hill enjoying a 17-point lead.

"I accept they are in the driving seat but the position is interesting to say the least.

"Realistically it is between the two of us but when they were held to a draw last weekend and we won, we were thrown a lifeline," claimed Heather.

"We will be going all out for maximum points at Stockton today and the good news from our point of view is that I have both Ian Gilthorpe and Michael Smalley returning."

In the Readers Durham County League, Crook Town, unbeaten in 12 matches, believe they are still in with a chance of winning the championship despite being 47 points adrift of leaders Kimblesworth.

"We have a match in hand on Kimblesworth and have yet to play them so anything might happen," declared Crook official David Greener.

"The weather has been unkind to us in that we have had more games affected than any other team but the opposite could be the case in the final run-in,"

Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League leaders Lintz could find it difficult this afternoon when they visit Benwell and Walbottle, who have struck form in recent weeks and moved into fifth position.

The Tynesiders won promotion last year and in early games struggled to find their feet in the top flight. It is an indication of their progress that last week they overtook a target of more than 200 with wickets and time to spare. Stephen Reed hit an unbeaten ton and his brother Andrew struck an undefeated half century.