THE match of the day in the premier division tomorrow is between leaders Guisborough and third-top Bishop Auckland at Fountains Garth.

Only 22 points separate the pair and, with 160 points still to play for in the remaining eight games, both sides are very much involved in the race for the championship.

But defeat for Bishops would seriously damage their chances, especially as Northallerton are still going well in second place.

A double boost to Guisborough's chances is the return of Johnny May and Stephen Pennock, who replace Martin Hyde and Will Wyatt.

On Sunday, Guisborough play Darlington at Marske in the final of the prestigious Kerridge Cup, so it is certainly a big weekend for the club.

The Feethams side might by lying in mid-table with only four league wins to their credit, but they have chalked up some impressive performances in the Kerridge Cup.

Northallerton, only 12 points off the top, are at home to Hartlepool.

They name Darren Paven for Roger Mackrell, while the visitors cannot call upon captain Gary Tebbett, whose place is taken by Jack Wilkinson.

Great Ayton, buoyed by their splendid winning performance last weekend, will attempt to take another stride towards premier division safety by winning at Marske, who are just one place and one point above them.

Stuart Mackay and Graeme Coulthard are unavailable for the Seasiders, who line up Carl Brumwell and Gary Lynch.

Jimmy Middleton for Andrew Russell is Darlington RA's only change against Richmondshire at Brinkburn Road, but Darlington show three alterations for the visit to Redcar.

Lee Craggs and Jamie Watson come in for Colin Biglin and Danny Morgans, while Richard Stock is preferred to his brother James.

Robbie Whelan and young spinner James Boardman replace Mally Whitehead and Graham Bowen in the Redcar side.

With Martin Ball and Janisar Hussain both sidelined, Middlesbrough name Chris Bruton and Omar Shahid at Normanby Hall.

Professional Brenton Parchment, who is in outstanding form, takes his benefit on Sunday.

Blackhall, who dropped to the bottom of the table last weekend, need a win, but it will certainly not be easy at Saltburn, who still have their eye on the title.

The Colliers have managed just one victory all season and line up Asif Jan, brother of former professional Imran, who is now at Guisborough. Fahim Fazel and Philip Bell cannot play, but John Darby and David Brown make the side.

Guisborough enhanced their chances of clinching the championship for a fourth successive season when they produced a stunning performance against Redcar last weekend.

At the halfway stage it looked as if they had a big challenge on their hands, but West Indian professional Imran Jan and captain Richard Dunn rose to the occasion.

The target of 207 evaporated in just 40 overs as Jan hit three sixes and 15 boundaries in an unbeaten 127. Dunn contributed 51, with one six and eight fours as Guisborough won by eight wickets.

When Redcar batted first they posted 206-7 in 50 overs as Tom Urwin found the boundary line seven times in making 74 and Mohamed Qureshi added 41, with two fours and three sixes.

David Towse bowled throughout for Guisborough and in 25 overs, five of which were maidens, took 3-78.

Northallerton were held to a draw at Bishop Auckland. Darren Blenkiron ended undefeated on 122 in the Bishops total of 207-6 and Northallerton were 155-7 at stumps.

After conceding early wickets, especially to Paul Timmens, Northallerton were grateful to Jonathan Barnes for his innings of 31.

Middlesbrough's professional Brenton Parchment wasted no time leading his side to victory over Marske at Acklam Park. His first 50 came from just 40 balls and in all he received just 93 deliveries making 111, which included two sixes and 13 fours.

The target was 188 and was achieved for the loss of seven wickets in only 39 overs. Five of the wickets were claimed by Richie Rennard for 55 runs in 11 overs.

When they batted first, Marske ended on 187 all out from 49.5 overs. Rob Nicol (37), Neil Coverdale (42) and Ryan Lazenby (33) were the principal scorers, while 17-year-old Jack Conway returned 3-47 in 16.5 overs in the Boro attack.

Wilden Cornwall led Darlington RA to an impressive 231-7 when he took 90, with ten boundaries, off the Normanby Hall attack. Several players made useful contributions and Steve McNicholas claimed 5-100 in 21 overs for the Hall.

The visitors were then all out in 42 overs for only 146, which included a half-century by Neil Pearson. Andy Russell had a good day with the ball for RA, taking 5-26 in 13 overs.

Great Ayton moved off the bottom for the first time this season when they dented the championship aspirations of Saltburn. Ayton totalled only 168-9, which included 38 by John Doyle and 30 from David Grainge, but Anthony Doyle then returned the excellent analysis of 5-20 and Saltburn were all out for 155, which included 61 by Paul Ramage.

Although they scored almost 200, Darlington lost by two wickets to Hartlepool.

Neil Pratt top-scored with 70 in the visitors' total of 194, with Michael Gough taking 6-52 for Pools.

Richmondshire sent Blackhall to the bottom when they won by eight wickets.

Shanoka Dissanayake was man of the match, taking 6-58 as the Colliers totalled 187 before ending unbeaten on 93 in an unbroken partnership for the third wicket with captain Andy Mollett (57no).