After six games, the table is beginning to take shape and only 20 points separate the top five clubs.

The next five teams are bunched in together and again only 22 points separate them, with Seaton Carew six points adrift in one of the relegation spots, and Norton really struggling in bottom position.

Darlington, who dropped to seventh place, after their heavy defeat last week at the hands of Barnard Castle, entertain Great Ayton, who have started the season well and sit in second place with the same points as leaders Stokesley.

Ayton make one change from their home win over Middlesbrough last week, with Joshua Thompson coming in to replace David Grainge.

Richmondshire are beginning to show some form and make just one change, as they welcome Guisborough to Hugill Road. Shaun Charlton has been getting wickets regularly in the second team and gets a deserved call up in place of Justin Pretorius. Guisborough have new singing Dale Metcalfe in their side to bolster their bowing attack.

Hartlepool welcome champions and in-form Barnard Castle to Park Drive.

Brad Frank and Heath Lintern are recalled to strengthen the bowling attack and Pools chairman Alan Jackson expects a really tough game against a team who are packed with an array of talent.

Karl Turner will be eagerly looking forward to the game, after scoring 167 in the Bank Holiday Kerridge Cup match. Jackson said: “It was an awesome innings, one of the best seen at Hartlepool in many seasons.”

Marske entertain bottom club Norton and make one change from their defeat at Stokesley last week, with Jozef Wing coming in for John Mains.

Skipper Lee Hodgson said: “We are still looking for our first win after a disappointing day last week against Stokesley. Norton won't be an easy game, but one we are looking at to get our season going, hopefully with a win.”

Norton have Marc Symington returning from injury to replace Dan Tait.

Stokesley travel to Acklam Park to play Middlesbrough, who are in third position.

Director of cricket Mark Smith stated: “We should have an unchanged team following our double success last weekend in the league and cup.

“Skipper Andrew Weighell is in fine form with the ball, with 11 wickets in his last two games. This is another tough game against a Boro attack which may have several spinners in it, as their ground is usually a spin friendly wicket.”

Seaton Carew welcome Marton to Hornby Park and come off the back of a 25-point win against Norton. They welcome back captain Paul Braithwaite and wicketkeeper-batsman Callum Bowman, with David Braithwaite away on tour with his University.

Marton have four of regular first-team players out, with skipper Alex Wardell, Jonny Spillane and Ben Hutchinson away on holiday and Matthew Connelly getting married.

Their replacements are Chris Simpson, Liam Kennedy, Dominic Knight and Salim Khan and skipper Wardell said: “This is a big chance for the incoming players to impress and take their opportunities, while we have a few absent.”