Both Richmondshire and Darlington, who have dominated Premier Division cricket in the last three years, have made positive starts to their campaigns despite losing a number of key players over the close-season.

The Dalesmen, champions in 2012 and 2013 and runners-up last year, had to reckon without Shani Dissanayake, James Clarkson and Lewis Stabler after all moved on to pastures new, and many felt that might cause them to struggle. But an unbeaten start, which includes three victories, sees them at the top once more.

Skipper Gary Pratt used his Cumberland connections to bring in Toby Bulcock, and that has proved a masterstroke with the spinner already joint second in the league wicket-taking charts with 16 victims, the same as teammate Craig Marshall.

They take on Middlesbrough today, and then travel to Barnard Castle on Monday for a derby with real meaning as Barney, who also rely heavily on tweakers, have moved up to fourth. Richmond make one change with Rob Carr back from university and replacing Mike Fleming. Boro hand a seasonal debut to Callum Buckley, back from playing in Australia.

Champions Darlington suffered the departure of star men Jonny Barnes, Peter Armstrong and Dan Hodgson, over the winter and also decided not to recruit an overseas player to follow Bangladeshi Test star Rajin Saleh.

With Paul Freary the only new signing they put their faith in their own talent under the stewardship of new skipper Matty Brown, and so far that has proved a sound judgment with the Quakers up to third after an impressive win at Marske.

They face Redcar at Feethams today, with one enforced change as Tom Sowerby replaces injured finger victim Sam Hardy.

The Seasiders, out of the bottom two after an improved performance against Stokesley last week, are still waiting to see if Usman Arshad will be with them. He was due to make his debut seven days ago, but further paperwork problems delayed his arrival, and uncertainty remained all week.

Marton will have to do without one of their leading players for the rest of the season. Alex Roberts, who returned to the country after living for several years in Australia, was engaged as English pro but things haven’t worked out and he won’t be appearing again.

With Luke Gettings suspended the club have delayed naming a replacement for the home game against a Guisborough side that should include Graham Murray.

Second-placed Hartlepool will be at full strength for the visit of a Great Ayton team that has to reckon without David Grainge for a couple of weeks because of work commitments, Josh Thompson is drafted in.

Marske include the returning Chris Lince for their trip to Barnard Castle, Normanby Hall welcome back Henry Blackett from his holidays when they entertain Seaton Carew, and unchanged Stokesley hand a home debut to Indian first-classer Shrikant Wagh when newly-promoted Norton, who have started life in the top flight well with their home grown team, visit the SCG.