At the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, the match of the day is between Richmondshire in second place, seven points behind Great Ayton, as they host Marton in third place, who are 18 points behind Great Ayton.

With just six games to go until the end of the season, the winner of this game, will no doubt be heaping the pressure on the leaders.

Marton are in excellent form and will be a big test for the Dalesman. Skipper Alex Wardell said: “Jacob Swan is out and Scott Kirby comes into the team. We had a great performance last week after being put into bat, but this week is a huge test against Richmondshire on their own patch and going for the title.”

Middlesbrough entertain the league leaders Great Ayton and skipper James Lowe said: “We have Sam Gaudie missing, but Adil Ditta is back into the team.”

Stokesley in fourth, but only 20 points behind Great Ayton, travel to Marske with an unchanged team, following last week’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Seaton Carew.

The Seasiders make three changes from last Saturday, Chris Veazey, Tom Urwin and Chris Witherley come in for Adam Pickard, Billy Harvey and Sam Berry who are unavailable.

Skipper Lee Hodgson said: “After getting a winning draw against Great Ayton last week, in which we dominated throughout the game with some good individual performances, we will be looking for more of the same at home to a Stokesley team, who are still in the mix at the top of the table.”

Barnard Castle entertain Darlington and the visitors have an unchanged team, following last weekend’s near win against Middlesbrough. They fell just three runs short of winning that game and they are hoping for a “similar performance” against the champions, according to club official Garry Moody.

Barney have James Quinn missing, as he is at a wedding and he will be replaced by Ian Swinburn, in their only change. Skipper James Finch said: “25 points last week, was a big win for us and we are hoping we can get on a bit of a roll towards the end of the season and put the pressure on the teams above us, in the closing stages of the season.”

At the bottom of the league, two titans clash at Park Drive, where Hartlepool and Guisborough face up to what is a crucial relegation encounter. The Priorymen are second bottom in the second relegation slot, while Pools are one place above them, but crucially have a 24-point cushion over their opponents.

The home side have opening batsmen John Watson back in the team and he replaces Ollie Mole, while Guisborough have the experienced Neil Russell and Colin Murray back in their side, who replace Hayden Bowman and Dan Bowman.

Seaton Carew will be looking for a win at Hornby Park, against the bottom club Norton, to push themselves further away from the relegation quagmire. They welcome back Marty Skirving from injury to replace Jack Stonehouse, who returns to America to continue his football scholarship.