Billingham Synthonia can’t wait for the action to start as they prepare for their opening games after a three year absence from the NYSD’s Premier Division.

The Synners were relegated in 2012, but after a couple of modest campaigns at the lower level in which they even flirted with relegation to Division Two in 2013, they really hit their straps last year as they won 17 games to top the table and clinch the one promotion spot available.

Back in the big time they have had to wait for their first action with the opening programme completely wiped out by the weather two weeks ago – which unfortunately looks like being a major problem again this weekend – and then sitting out what was effectively the opening set of matches last Saturday.

But the bank holiday weekend provides two opportunities to kick start their campaign with a home game against Darlington followed by a trip to Normanby Hall on Monday.

Billingham have retained their promotion-winning squad, their star performers last summer being the evergreen Martin Cull, a perpetual thorn in batsmen’s sides, and all-rounder Faisal Hussain. And to that squad that they have added Shahid Khan, who moved from Normanby in the close-season after scoring over 500 runs for the Hall, as well as an unknown quantity from the West Indies, Alston Bobb.

He was recommended by former NYSD player and world great Desmond Haynes. A left hand bat and left arm orthodox bowler, the 32-year-old has played just once before in England – four years ago in Cornwall.

Synners’ skipper Mike Atkinson has been impressed by the overseas recruit: “He looks really good in the nets so we have great hopes for the season.”

The primary aim in their first year back will be consolidation, as Atkinson suggested: “We are hoping for a winning start although expecting to face a demanding season. The aim is to stabilise ourselves in the Premier Division after three seasons away.”

Today’s opponents Darlington have their ranks boosted by the return of James Dobson from honeymoon. The all-rounder, who topped the Premier Division batting averages last summer, will resume his wicket-keeping duties in the Quakers only game of the weekend.

Two sides took maximum points last weekend – Hartlepool and Marske – so they head the fledgling table with Pools set to meet Great Ayton today and follow up with a trip to Stokesley on Monday and Marske’s double featuring a home game against Normanby Hall and then they go to Leven Park, nestled under the snow-clad Roseberry Topping, to play Great Ayton.

Hartlepool will have Jon Rickard making his seasonal debut, but the game at the SCG on Monday won’t feature either Phil Mustard (Pools) or James Weighell (Stokesley) as they have been selected for Durham’s second team game against Gloucestershire. Stokesley also have to contend with the absence of James Beaumont and Andy Liddle for their games, including the weekend curtain raiser at Richmondshire today.

Marske duo Brett Roberts and Ben Walker are absentees, replaced by Josh Carroll and Chris Lince, while it is expected to be another couple of weeks before New Zealander Ullrich Boshoff arrives. Opponents Normanby have Martin Brown out due to work commitments and will therefore hand a debut to Rameez Nawaz who joined from Billingham earlier this week.

Barnard Castle have to reckon without Richard Borrowdale, Mike Cook misses both Middlesbrough games, and John Fitzpatrick, absent for the opening game through injury, is expected to be fit to make his seasonal debut for Seaton Carew.