Two crucial games this weekend highlight both the top and bottom ends of the league.

At the top, Great Ayton in third, travel to leaders Richmondshire and have Henry Shelton playing in place of Mark Lewis.

They will be hampered by the loss of Walid Ghauri who has had the plaster removed from his broken leg, but will not play again this season. Richmondshire are unchanged for the first time in a number of games and are just eight points ahead of Marske, who have a game in hand.

At the other end, fourth-bottom Seaton Carew entertain Stokesley who are one place below them, just above the relegation trapdoor, but 11 points ahead of Billingham Synthonia who don’t play.

Stokesley will be without injured duo Doug Mulholland and James Weighell, but James Beaumont returns after the birth of his child last week.

Skipper Andy Weighell remains in a positive frame of mind going into the game: “It’s a big game for us but we are confident in ourselves and remain upbeat, we have some injuries to key players, but if we begin to string a few wins together, we will quickly climb the table.’’

Second-placed Marske, are at home to improving Darlington and will be looking to get back on track after a disappointing result at Billingham Synthonia last week. Darlington are only 31 points behind the leaders, so still have an outside chance of the title, but they will have to begin stringing some results together soon.

They are without Toby Lush, while Daniel Morgans returns to the seconds. Alan Lethbridge and Sam Hardy return to replace them. For Marske, Tom Urwin faces a fitness test and John Mains will come in if he fails it. Richard Mains replaces Josh Carroll who is unavailable.

Barnard Castle in fourth and fresh from their weekend break last time out, travel to sixth-placed Norton and have Jack Robinson missing and either Richard Watson or Graham Hutchinson will take his place. Norton have only lost two of their last seven and will be hard to beat on current form.

In-form Guisborough are likely to be unchanged when they entertain Middlesbrough, with both teams level on 154 points and safe in mid-table. The Priorymen professional Shanuka Dissanayake is in form - 301 runs and 20 wickets to his name after a delayed start to the season. Middlesbrough are also likely to be unchanged after their draw with Norton last week.

Hartlepool give youth a chance at Park Drive as they welcome struggling Normanby Hall. Pools have two junior players making their first team debuts in Brad Frank, 16, a left arm spinner and Aaron Feroz, 15, a right arm off spinner. They replace skipper Chris Harrison and Dale Metcalfe who are at weddings.

Michael Gough Senior, the club’s junior contact, is proud of the pair and insists they have been selected on merit.

He said “Both of these lads have come through from our under-9s and through the relevant third and second teams and will now be playing in the first team. I am delighted for them both as they have performed regularly and consistently through all the teams they have played in, it’s a great achievement for them and the club.’’

Normanby have three missing in Chris Trillo (work), Jordon Leech and Chris Witherley (holidays). Ryan Gibson is likely to be available from his Yorkshire duties.