NORTHALLERTON are all geared up to face the team of the moment today – while being in good form themselves.

Town entertain a Marton team flying higher than it has done before, but they are also in the best form and mood that they have been all season.

The relegation clouds were gathering, but two successive and impressive victories have lifted spirits and taken the team well away from danger.

There’s little doubt that the inspiration has come from the two club professionals, with Teddy Parida in stunning form and Jon Barnes back to his best.

The club took some time over the winter to make up their minds on an overseas player, but the decision to go back to proven quality has turned out to be a wise one with Parida well positioned to become the first player this season to score 1,000 league runs.

He tops the run scoring charts with 837 from 14 innings at an average of 84, and on average every other time he has gone to the wicket he has scored 50 or more.

At the same time Barnes has returned to his miserly best with the ball and has shot up to fourth in the averages while bowling more overs than any other player.

Skipper Barnes is also quick to point out the contribution of others: “Teddy has had good support from Ian Gill who registered a century and a couple of important 50s, and also from Darren Pavan who has impressed with the bat since he returned this season.

“Hopefully we can build on the recent results and keep enjoying our cricket, despite the usual interruptions that seem to mean the team changes every week.’’ Gill is unavailable for the game with Marton, and Joe Clarkson is away, but Ian Place is ready to return.

Marton appear unstoppable at the moment, their win over Boro last week clearly demonstrating their current confidence.

And they travel with a full side, their only concern revolving around the fitness of Yorkshire’s Lee Hodgson to bowl. A side strain means the county are limiting his bowling activities at the moment.

Darlington face a daunting trip to Acklam Park where the home side will be without Durham’s Kyle Coetzer who is on championship duty.

Chris Bruton is fit again after recovering from a knee injury sustained in warm up when Liam Botham smashed a ball back at him and sidelined him for a week. The Quakers will b e m i s s i n g Liam Coates, who is with the Durham Academy, as well as Paul Raine because of a knee injury - Lee Hutton and Dan Baldwin step up.

Bishop Auckland turn out the same side as last week for their Kingsway meeting with Marske. The Seasiders are missing hard hitting batsman Karl Bramwell.

Leaders Guisborough tackle Richmondshire at Fountains Garth without allrounder Chris Murray and keeper Gary Veazey who has an injured thumb, James Lines and Dan Allinson deputise.

The Dalesmen also have absentees with Clive Layfield only able to play home matches because of work, and Michael Cunnachie in Amsterdam.

Michael Croft returns to the Great Ayton team after holiday, as opponents Hartlepool bring in James Johnston for John Cannon.

There is a fitness doubt over Thornaby’s Khurram Shehzad for the match at Blackhall, but the home team expect to have Neil Killeen available although Stuart Lobb is working and left-arm spinner Michael Bell, who has enjoyed some recent successes with the ball, may also be out.

Paul Wiseman is out of Normanby’s game at Billingham with a strained calf, but the hosts have a full squad, including former skipper Dave Fairley.