IT is a long time since Darlington RA looked forward with so much anticipation to a visit from Darlington but captain David Eckels reckons his side is raring to go!

"For years they have had the edge on us and it is some time since we beat them but we are on a high and confident we can give them a good game," said Eckels.

Darlington secretary John Edwardson is under no illusion about the task facing his side.

"It is a one-off game when we meet. Both sides are in form and it should be a good match," he said.

The Feethams side will be aware of the attacking prowess of former player Darren Hickey, who recently moved to Brinkburn Road. Last Saturday he was just two runs short of a century when his outstanding innings ended.

RA, however, are without four players with Paul Freery, Andrew Russell, Colin Cartwright and wicket keeper Stephen Thompson all ruled out. David Morrison will don the gloves and Peter Mellor, Stephen Marr and Richard Hill are also drafted into the line-up.

Darlington, too, show changes with Richard Biddle and Duncan Johnson coming in for Lee Craggs and Kevin Mott, who last week bowled extremely well taking five Middlesbrough wickets.

Leaders Guisborough face a double programme after playing three games on successive days last weekend.

After scoring 322-4 at Hartlepool, which was their highest score since the 349-6 they posted against Saltburn in 1906, they lost to the penultimate ball against Middlesbrough in the MacMillan Cup Final before defeating South Northumberland by one run in the Regional Final of the ECB National Knockout Cup.

Today, they host Thornaby before leaving at 6am tomorrow to play Forfarshire in the next round of the National Cup.

"Tomorrow's match is for a place in the last eight and the final is played at Edgbaston so there is a lot at stake," said fixture secretary Gary Bolton.

Today, though, Guisborough will be completely focused on their game with Thornaby when they field a full-strength side at Fountains Garth.

A blow to the chances of Thornaby is the absence of Paul Thomas with a back injury and youngster Andrew Gibson is included in Neil Marsden's side.

Redcar have moved into fourth position but they are too far behind Darlington to improve their rating, even if they beat Wolviston. Oliver Rogers for Darren Nalton is the Seasiders' only change.

Wolviston miss father and son Geoff and Chris Peacock and hand a debut to 17-year-old all-rounder Andrew Davies who joins his uncle Paul Adamson in the line-up. Mark Christon returns as Wolviston attempt to win their first match.

Blackhall host second-top Saltburn with Tony Booth, Mark Cushlow and Gavin Watts replacing Philip Bell, David Penman and Craig Gilmore. Saltburn, just 13 points adrift of Guisborough, welcome the return of Tony Bell but Simon Walker cannot play.

When Guisborough scored 322-4 last Saturday, it was the first time an innings had produced more than 300 runs at Hartlepool, an indication of the quality of the Park Drive wicket.

Another high-scoring game is in prospect today when Middlesbrough are visitors. Pool retain the same side which drew last week but the visitors cannot call upon captain Danny Evans. Mark Foster is also absent and Ross Whatmore and Lee Allen are included.

With just nine points separating Northallerton and Normanby Hall, a close result is anticipated when they meet in a game important to both sides.

Northallerton show two changes with Peter Guy and John Place resuming and taking over from Dennis Norman and Mick Beswick. Normanby Hall show a number of alterations to their line-up with Mike Pinder, Roy Myers, Paul Gettings and Chris Hobday replacing Andy Robson, Graham Scanlon, Jarvis Ramzan and Mike Addison.

Marske go to second-bottom Richmondshire without wicket-keeper Steve Larkins whose replacement is Mark Walker.

In Division One, leaders Bishop Auckland visit second-from-top Great Ayton in the match of the day. Frank Smith takes over from the unavailable Andrew Brennan in the Bishops line-up and Ayton have James Marshall and Col Murray coming in for Ian Russell and Richard Hoare.

Darlington are at Marton without Danny Morgans who has intimated that he is severing his connection with the club after several years at Feethams.

Marske, at home to Seaton Carew, line up youngsters Darren Riley and Andy Rewcroft.