THORNABY hope a step into the unknown will help them in their first season back in the top-flight. Promoted last summer, they take on Marske at Mandlae Bottoms today.

Skipper Paul Allen said: “After a disappointing start to the season in difficult conditions, the team are looking to bounce back strongly against a confident Marske team.

“Home advantage is a big factor for us, as many of the Premier League sides haven’t played at Thornaby over the past few years.

“As captain, I learnt a great deal quickly from the defeat last week, to take into this weekend’s fixture, the intensity and willingness to grind out results, is imperative at this standard. As always we will be looking for a victory and a positive display with both bat and ball.”

Marske have Just one change from last weekend’s game. Kevin De Silva is out with a back injury, therefore Harvey Spaxman will be moving up to the team from the seconds. Harvey played all season last year in our promotion winning side, therefore giving him the experience at this level.

The Seasiders will be unchanged and skipper Lee Hodgson said: “We had a good winning start last weekend at Seaton Carew and had some good performances with both bat and ball. In particular, young Harry Pierson claiming a five wicket haul and the batting, with Jonathon Pickard scoring 45 runs which pretty much got us over the line, when chasing down 151.”

Richmondshire welcome Hartlepool, unchanged following their eight-wicket win at Marton last week. Skipper Gary Pratt said: “We played very well last week and did not let Marton into the game at all. Hartlepool are strong at the top of their batting order, so we need to get wickets early on, when they bat.”

Pools, who lost at home to Middlesbrough last week, make two changes for the difficult trip, with Joe Clarkson back from holiday to make his debut after signing from Thornaby and he replaces Peter Rhoden. All-rounder Ollie Mole makes his seasonal debut when he replaces Chris Smith.

Official Michael Gough said: “In our last game we felt we batted well enough, but bowled too many loose balls and we could not put any pressure on some very impressive batting by Middlesbrough, especially young Sam Gaudie.”

Stokesley were one of six teams to get off to a winning start last weekend and they welcome Marton to the SCG and they should be unchanged, according to secretary Mark Smith.

He said: “We are awaiting availability of youngster Harry Harding, who was playing for the Yorkshire Academy at the weekend. Professional Srikant Wagh impressed on his return to the club, so we go into the game full of confidence following victory against Thornaby last weekend.”

Marton make one change from their defeat at home to Richmondshire last weekend. Skipper Alex Wardell said: “Ben Hutchinson is in for James Collinge who is on holiday. We are looking to bounce back from last weekend, after a poor and rusty all-round performance.”

Barnard Castle welcome Bishop Auckland to the Vere Road Ground and skipper James Finch makes three changes - Richard Borrowdale, Mike Dixon and Phil Merryweather are all out for two weeks, while on holiday in America. In comes 16 year old Edward Sabey, for his first team debut as wicketkeeper. All-rounder Grahame Hutchinson is in and they hope that Sri Lankan professional Hashan Dumindu will arrive in time.

Finch said: “We have taken lots of confidence after getting over the line in a tight low scoring game against Darlington last week, the team are keen to put in a solid performance against new boys Bishops, in our first home game of the season.”

Bishops will be unchanged following their opening day defeat to champions Great Ayton and they are expecting professional Nimesh Vimukthi, from Sri Lanka, to arrive next week.

Champions Great Ayton welcome Seaton Carew to Leven Park and skipper Jon Grainge said: “We are expecting a tough test from Seaton as per last year. They have plenty of good cricketers, but we’re confident we can keep up our form from last week.”

Seaton skipper Paul Braithwaite said: “We will be without Stuart Lobb who is unavailable for this weekend’s game, but we welcome back Jack Turnbull to bolster the bowling attack, to hopefully help kick start our season.”

Darlington travel to Middlesbrough and go into the game with an unchanged side. “We are hoping for improvement with both bat and ball, after a better week of preparation on grass wickets,” according to official Garry Moody.

Boro skipper Leigh Beaumont said: “We remain unchanged after our great eight-wicket win, last Saturday at Hartlepool. We are looking ahead to playing Darlington and are hoping we can build on our good start. The team has gelled well over the winter and the new additions have fitted well into the club.”