Billingham’S battle to avoid the relegation traumas of last season gathers pace this weekend when they entertain Richmondshire.

For much of 2009 the club looked doomed to drop into Division One but in one of the most dramatic last day’s in the league’s history it was Blackhall who plunged through the trapdoor when they suffered their eighth consecutive defeat and the Synners found salvation.

This season the boot’s on the other foot with Billingham hovering above the bottom slot which has been the almost exclusive preserve of Thornaby throughout the campaign. And the Synners have made a clear statement of their intent to avoid a protracted relegation battle by reengaging Sri Lankan Nisal Randika for the remainder of the season.

The club were the only one in the league to register just one professional at the start of the campaign, but an initial short trip to the country by Randika has been extended to a longer stay and he has been happy to help out his old club.

He is unlikely to debut today, but other than that the Synners are at full-strength with Craig Symington returning and Durham’s Mark Davies playing.

Davies will continue his steady recuperation from long term injury against one of his former NYSD employers.

Just seven months ago Davies was drafted into the England Test squad in South Africa as cover for James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom, but ankle and foot problems have led to further frustration for the Stockton-born star.

He played for the Synners at Stokesley last week and bowled ten overs at relatively gentle pace as he eased his way back into action, but the Dalesmen may find the tempo increased a little today as the pace man continues to build up for a return to the firstclass arena.

Thornaby are 24 points behind Billingham and will have their work cut out to prevent the gap form widening as they travel to Acklam Park to tackle championship leaders Middlesbrough.

Boro will have keeper Tom Hodgson back in the team after his run out with Durham’s Academy side, but both Liam Botham and Omar Shahid are missing.

The match marks the final appearance of Yasir Shah – the leg-spinner flies out to join up with the Pakistan A squad after the game, and while the club can have a replacement it seems they have yet to determine whether they will bring a substitute in for the few games that will remain.

Boro’s closest rivals for the title, Guisborough, go to Kingsway searching for the win that would set them up nicely for their last seven games, five of which are at home. Bishops will greet them with an unchanged team, but the Priorymen once again have to reckon without Stu Mackay and Ryan Murray – Col Murray and Tom Gittins play in their place.

Hartlepool have a slight concern over a niggling wrist injury that their prolific overseas man, Saman Jayantha, has picked up, but he should take his place in their full strength Park Drive line-up to face Stokesley.

There is an exotic feel to the visitors who have star allrounder James Beaumont back from his sporting adventures in America, and James Weighell returning from his Sri Lankan school cricketing trip. Josh Linton and Will Brown will not feature as they are on a sporting activity holiday abroad.

In today’s other games Chris Trillo skippers Normanby Hall in Dave Cross’s absence with visitors Northallerton having to reckon without Darren Pavan.

Bradley Elsworth makes his Premier debut. And Stephen Pennock returns from suspension for Great Ayton’s home match with a Darlington team that includes Garry Moody and Danny Morgans.