Following their important win last Saturday, Marske journey to Leven Park to take on leaders and champions Great Ayton .

Skipper Chris Veasey is missing, so Johnathon Pickard is selected for the game. Veasey said: “After a good win last weekend, this is a very tough game, but we want to keep the momentum going if we can.”

Great Ayton skipper Jon Grainge is in an upbeat mood: “We are sitting well at present and it’s good to be at the top of the league, at this stage of the season. I think to be honest, it’s between ourselves, Barney and Richmondshire now for the title.

“I have been impressed with Barnard Castle this season, as they had a big turnaround of key players and Richmondshire are always strong each year.

“The 25 points for a win these days, makes a huge difference to the title and relegations scraps, but we will be taking it ‘one game at a time’ and not worry about other results, we just have to continue doing the business at our end, starting with Marske at our place this weekend.”

Barnard Castle, in second place, are 16 points behind Ayton and need to keep the pressure on them. They face Seaton Carew at Vere Road and Barney are still smarting over their defeat last weekend against Bishop Auckland.

Skipper James Quinn said: “Last week was a big blow for the club, losing to Bishops, but there are some big games to come, before the end of the season and we need to be there or thereabouts to give ourselves a chance. Quietly, we are confident in our own ability and have a reasonable chance of the title, if we show our potential for the rest of the season.”

Seaton skipper Paul Braithwaite said: “We have Stuart Lobb and Jack Turnbull back in the side, which will strengthen the bowling attack and we know it won’t be an easy game, but we will try our best and are confident of a result.”

Richmondshire take on Darlington and skipper Gary Pratt said: “Matthew McKiernan is out playing for Derbyshire, while Josh Cartledge drops back to the seconds. Steven Mather and Dion Wood are back in the team. It will be more difficult without McKiernan out, but we still have a strong team and hope to win. There is a lot of cricket left at the club this season and we want to do well on all fronts.”

Darlington have peter Greenwell back in the side, as their only change.

Middlesbrough entertain Bishop Auckland at Acklam Park in a crucial encounter for both clubs.

Boro skipper Leigh Beaumont said: “We had a good result last week, in a tight game at Darlington, and we bowled well under pressure. Against Bishops, there will be a first team debut for 15-year-old Yash Vagadia who also represents Yorkshire. Harry Williams comes in for Siraj Khan. Alfie Taylor-Clarke and Jake Whittle retain their places from a winning side last week.”

Bishops skipper Scott Oldfield said: “We make one change, with Nigel Turner coming in for me as I’m unavailable. The past few weeks the boys have been outstanding. Morale is high, and we have been turning up with a great attitude and applying ourselves properly. I'm sure if this continues, we will pick up another positive result.”

Stokesley entertain Hartlepool and secretary Mark Smith said: “We are without experienced seamer Richie Chandler and youngster Robbie Atkinson. Hopefully the batsmen can support skipper Andrew Weighell and be assisted by the return of his Jonny Weighell, who has been in good form for most of the season.”

Hartlepool make one change from last week's defeat against Richmondshire, with seamer Ben Smith replacing the unavailable George Relton.

Secretary Michael Gough snr said: “Last week against the Dalesmen, we did not get the rub of the green and again we put in a solid performance and could have got 25 points on another day.

“We are expecting another tough challenge at Stokesley. They have several match winners in their team, but we need to keep on performing and they will not be underestimated.”

Marton travel to Acklam Road, to take on Thornaby and have Jonny Spillane back in alongside Ben Hutchinson. They replace Chris Simpson who is unavailable and Danny Kitching who is injured. Skipper Alex Wardell said: “We are looking to carry on our good form against a good Thornaby side, who have done well this season since promotion.”

Thornaby skipper Paul Allen said: “It’s an important game for us at the weekend and we want a positive result against Marton who have shown some form of late. Johnathan Rickard is back in the team, but we are a few short as some players are on holiday.”