Leaders Richmondshire entertain Middlesbrough at Hurgill Road, leading the pack by a mere six points, and ahead of a resurgent Marske team. They are at full strength and unchanged, but Middlesbrough have Paul Johnson returning in place of Adil Ditta.

Marske have a debut for overseas amateur Will Elliott, a South African top order batsman and seam bowler. He replaces New Zealander Ullrich Boshoff, who has had visa problems. Craig Gratton is also unavailable.

The Seasiders are at home to Great Ayton, who have Tom Leng returning. Ayton, in fifth, are just 18 points behind the leaders.

Barnard Castle, in fourth, have Graham Hutchinson playing in place of Josh Bousfield who is on holiday and Richard Watson retains his place, with Richard Borrowdale missing for a second weekend - last week was a last minute drop out after damaging an ankle when he tripped on a step; this week he is attending his brother's stag weekend.

Barney travel to in-form and hard to beat Seaton Carew, who are steadily climbing the table and have only lost three in 16 this season and are unchanged from last week.

Billingham Synthonia are also unchanged ahead of their relegation encounter with Normanby Hall at Chiltons Avenue.

Skipper Mike Atkinson said: “This is a really big game for both clubs, we need results to go hand in hand with our good team spirit and several excellent individual performances. We also need a bit more luck and the results we have deserved, hopefully this should come together soon.

“We have some very good players and our professional, Alston Bobb has shown good form, especially as it's his first season in the league. Currently he has 29 league wickets including twice taking five and scored 350 runs.’’

Normanby Hall have Chris Veazey on holiday. Sajid Rashid who scored 120 in the second team last week against Hartlepool, is considered for his Premier debut. They are awaiting confirmation of Ryan Gibson's availability from Yorkshire and skipper Leigh Beaumont said of the game with Billingham: “It's massive for both sides. Our professional, Aamer Sajjad, has hit form just at the right time.”

Last week he scored one of the best centuries Beaumont had ever seen and the skipper said: “He's a real quality player and was big enough to apologise for getting out from the last ball last week, which gave Marske the victory, but his innings provided us with more bonus points than we might normally have taken and they could be vital come the end of the season.”

Guisborough entertain Norton at Fountains Garth, with Chris Nicholls returning from his honeymoon and Richard Dunn is also expected to be back.

Hartlepool are at home to Stokesley and have Neil Coverdale and Jonathan Rickard missing, but wicket-keeper Alan Tebbett will return.

In the race for the one promotion slot to the Premier Division, it’s looking as though it’s between the top three. Bishop Auckland who have a 19-point cushion over Marton, but the second-placed team have two games in hand. Thornaby in third, are a further 32 points behind Marton, but have one game in hand over them.