Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: A year ago Great Ayton looked doomed for an immediate return to the First Division.

Without a win, they propped up the table and there looked no escape, but their form suddenly took off and a great second half to the season saw them finish 50 points ahead of relegated Blackhall.

They have continued where they left off and ahead of the weekend double against Darlington RA and Richmondshire proudly sit fourth from top.

"You could say it's been rags to riches.

"This time last year we were down and out, but all of a sudden everything seemed to click into place and we've hardly put a foot wrong since," said fixture secretary Norman Thurlow, who has been with the club for 28 years.

The arrival from Darlington RA of Darren Hickey has made a difference and he is one of several top order batsmen in form.

Thara Gunnaratne is in his second season and, according to Thurlow has settled in nicely, regularly scoring runs and taking wickets.

Great Ayton were in the old B Division and when the League was restructured moved into Division Two. Promotion to Division One quickly followed before the ultimate goal was achieved in 2004 and, according to Thurlow, the side is playing better now than at any time during his near-30 years in the village.

"When you think how far we have come it's unbelievable. Not only are we fourth top but next Thursday play Darlington at Feethams in the semi-final of the Kerridge Cup. We couldn't have dreamt of such a tie just a year ago."

Saltburn are 16 points ahead before their weekend fixtures with second top Guisborough and Darlington.

Today's game at Fountains Garth could have a big bearing on the championship aspirations of both sides as Saltburn attempt to wrestle the title from four-times winners Guisborough.

Saltburn field a full strength side on both days, while Guisborough, who tomorrow visit Marske, recall Gary Bolton for the unavailable Stephen Pennock this afternoon. Chris Allinson cannot play tomorrow so Ryan Murray starts.

Bishop Auckland are waiting in the wings for the top two to slip up. Today, they are at Hartlepool before meeting second-bottom Billingham Synthonia at Kingsway.

Normanby Hall are also on the fringe of the title race and make a couple of alterations to their line-up for games against bottom five sides Richmondshire and Darlington RA.

Javed Ramzan has recovered from a back injury and Lee Sykes is also named in place of David Austin and Mark Lane.

Skipper Phil Crowther resumes for Darlington RA, who, after today's testing match at Great Ayton, face an equally difficult fixture at Normanby Hall. Danny Page is back to keep wicket.

Darlington also show two changes for their double with Northallerton and Saltburn with Ricky Hopwood and Lee Craggs lining up for Lee Hutton and Alex Deuchar.

Former captain Danny Evans makes his seasonal debut for Middlesbrough who are surprisingly third from the basement before crucial games with Billingham Synthonia, one place below them, and Northallerton who are just seven points better off.

Matthew Connolly is injured and John Spillane sidelined, so Umar Shahid joins Evans in the side.

Redcar are forced into changes. Today, at home to neighbours Marske they bring in Andrew Wetherall for Stephen Laws but he returns tomorrow for the home game with Hartlepool. Lee Powell is also named but Stephen Hutchinson and Wetherall miss out.

Richmondshire are at the bottom but now just one point adrift of safety.

After hosting Normanby Hall today, they again have home advantage over Great Ayton. With Ben Biker ruled out, Jamie Stead is promoted.

John Sample for Dave Wake is Northallerton's only alteration for their double with Darlington and Middlesbrough.

Hartlepool also keep changes to the bare minimum at home to Bishop Auckland and at Redcar. Paul Johnson takes over from Peter Rhoden this afternoon with Andy Smith in for Ian Palmer tomorrow.

Billingham Synthonia, too near the bottom for comfort, welcome back Dave Fairley and Mark Bartley but Keith Martin cannot turn out at home to Middlesbrough and at Kingsway.

Chris Gibbon and Keith Welsh are named for Chris Murdoch and Richie Rennard in the Marske side visiting Redcar and tomorrow Andy Batchelor comes in for Welsh at home to Guisborough.