Darlington are unbeaten in their first four matches and face a trip to the league leaders Middlesbrough, who have a nine-point gap at the top.

The Quakers are sixth, 23 points behind Boro. Garry Moody from the club said: “Dale Marshall is unavailable, so Alex Metcalfe makes his debut in the first-team after playing well in the seconds and deserves his chance, otherwise the team is unchanged.

Middlesbrough will make one change from last week’s win at home to champions Barnard Castle. Skipper James Lowe said: “Paul Johnston will be back in the team and the team are playing well at the minute, we just want to keep our good run going.”

Barnard Castle are still only 20 points behind the leaders, despite two consecutive defeats and they entertain Guisborough and James Finch, Barney skipper said: “We will be making three changes due to availability, with Richard Borrowdale, Robert Dixon and Phil Merryweather back after their holidays.

“We need to put the last two disappointing performances from the last two games, behind us and focus on this game. We are looking to win the game and get back to winning ways against Guisborough.”

The Priorymen make one change, after their heavy defeat at Marton last Saturday as Tom Gittins comes in for Neil Russell. Chris Nicholls, director of cricket, said: “It was a very disappointing result last Saturday at Marton, but this is the perfect opportunity to bounce back.”

Richmondshire in mid-table, after their impressive win at Stokesley last week, entertain bottom of the table Norton, who have lost all four games so far this season.

The visitors make three changes to their team, beaten at Hartlepool last weekend. In come James Pratt, Ben Duncan and Nick Thomas, with James Tompkinson, Chris Dunwell and Matthew Thomas replacing them.

Marton in third, have won their last three games and travel to Hartlepool and skipper Alex Wardell said: “We make one change with Luke Gettings coming back in for Liam Kennedy and I am looking for us to continue our recent good form.”

Doug Mullholland, first-team captain, expects a tough game against an in-form Marton side. He said that: “Marton have several match winners in their side and our team need to be on top of their game to get a positive result.”

Hartlepool have signed 19-year-old Sam Harris from Littletown in the Readers Durham Cricket League. He is a promising wicket-keeper and 15-year-old George Renton, who performed well in last week's win at Norton, keeps his place.

Marske are third bottom and although it’s early days in the season, are 45 points from the top. They entertain second-placed Great Ayton who are in a rich vein of form. The Seasiders make one change to last week’s team, with Jozef Wing coming in for John Mains who is unavailable.

Skipper Lee Hodgson said: “We were a little unlucky not to get a win last Saturday at Darlington, but we had some good individual performances to hopefully build on, heading into the game against an in-form Great Ayton side.”

Great Ayton skipper Jon Grainge makes make two changes, with Joshua Thompson and Andrew Liddle, replacing Jack Edwards and Cameron Beath in their team.

Seaton Carew held Great Ayton to a draw last week at Leven Park and showed the spirit they had from last season at last.

They welcome Stokesley to Hornby Park and have John Fitzpatrick returning from injury and Jack Stonehouse comes back into the side, after returning from football in America. They replace Stuart Lobb and Danny Black, who are both unavailable.

Skipper Paul Braithwaite said: “The side is looking to get their first win of the season and build on a positive display with the bat last week, against a strong Great Ayton bowling attack.”

Stokesley secretary Mark Smith said: “We will re-group following our narrow defeat at home to Richmondshire last week and hopefully get back to winning ways. There are no injury worries and with Andrew Weighell in good form, we will be looking for maximum points from the game.”