Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: PRESIDENT Chris West is confident the league is set to enjoy one of its most exciting and competitive seasons for years.

In the last two summers there has been an unprecedented range of activities aimed at increasing the profile of the league and to bring new vigour and life to the competition.

"We have made 49 amendments to the rules in two years, the most significant changes during the 112-year history of the league. All were endorsed either unanimously or by substantial majorities and we are now in a position to compete with any league," enthused West, who is about to begin his third season at the helm.

Saltburn last season ended Guisborough's four-year reign as champions when they had a healthy 38 points in hand of their arch-rivals and the Seasiders again look to be the side to beat.

A notable absentee this summer will be David Towse who has been the inspiration behind much of Guisborough's success.

One of the most economical bowlers in North-East cricket, he claimed 70 wickets at just 12.6 runs apiece last year and will prove difficult to replace.

Richard Dunn, who has taken over as captain, said: "David has been a model professional and we are very sorry to lose him but we have made one or two outstanding signings.

"Neil Russell, the 2005 NYSD Cricketer of the Year, has joined from Redcar. Last season he scored over 600 runs and will bolster both our batting and bowling line-ups," enthused Dunn.

Off-spinner Stuart Mackay is another arrival from Redcar, while Australian wicket keeper batsman Sean Clingeleffer will have his first taste of North-East cricket.

In addition to Towse, two other players have left Fountains Garth with Steve Pennock returning to Great Ayton, while Graeme Wrightson is now living in York.

Darlington have also gone for an Aussie to replace local lad Steve Chapman who is now living Down Under, where he has spent many winters. Aaron Heal, a spinner and batsman from Western Australia, arrives with good credentials.

Neil Pratt is again captain and the only other newcomer is James Clarkson from Bedale while Ricky Hopwood has left to join Durham Academy.

Darlington RA will be hoping to maintain the progress they made during 2005 and their chances are boosted with the re-engagement of Pakistani Ashar Zaidi who scored 783 runs averaging 78.3 in only 13 visits to the wicket last season.

Philip Crowther is skipper and the only absentee will be Jimmy Middleton, who will be having his second spell in The Readers Durham County League with Shildon.

Phil Timmens has also joined Shildon from Bishop Auckland, who have signed Chris Moore from Willington and Jack Frater, who is at Barnard Castle school.

The hugely impressive Amol Mazumdar returns to Kingsway.

In 2005 he was the leading run-maker with 1,323 at 77.8 leaving director of cricket Paul Furby to ponder why the popular opener is not in the India side.

"It's a mystery to me. Amol is a great batsman with wonderful technique and we are delighted to have him back again," said Furby.

South African Ryan Bailey is the new overseas player at Marske and he has a task on his hands emulating the superb performances of Rob Nicol who racked up nearly 1,200 runs last season.

Bailey, 23, is an all-rounder playing first-class cricket. Lee Beaumount, the ex-Philadelphia captain, returns for a second season but Jonathan Nichols, brother of captain Chris, has moved to the Newcastle area.

To offset his loss, former junior James Riley has returned from Yarm.

Great Ayton enjoyed a very good first season in the Premier Division and will be attempting to at least emulate a fourth-top finish.

Riaz Afridi a 21-year-old medium quick bowler who has played one Test for Pakistan, is hoping to break into his country's World Cup squad but will be Ayton's overseas player.

Former Darlington RA batsman Darren Hickey, a formidable player capable of taking any attack apart, is back and Matthew Wilkinson, a right-arm off-spinner and useful batsman, has also joined.

He has played for Kidderminster in the Birmingham League and at under-19 level toured Australia with Worcester.

Stephen Pennock has returned from Guisborough to link up with his father Dave while the Whitby Town goalkeeper David Campbell is also added to the squad.

Sri Lankan Shanoka Dissanayake will have his fourth season at Richmondshire where he has been a great success.

Adam Smith, who scored more than 500 runs in his last season, returns following a two-year break and Mike Fleming is also back from Bedale and will link up with his brother Andy. Mark Layfield has decided to step down and captain the second XI.

Not surprisingly, Normanby Hall have re-engaged Mohammed Zaidi who last time was the league's leading wicket-taker with 82 victims costing 16.2 apiece. He also sent down in excess of 550 overs - more than any other bowler.

Thara Gunaratne, who was with Great Ayton last season is the new overseas player with Hartlepool who will be hoping for a good season from the Sri Lankan especially as Richie Evans has moved to Newcastle and Gary Tebbett retired. Michael Gough has become a first-class umpire, but will remain a regular in the Park Drive side.

Alex Roberts will lead the Middlesbrough innings after racking up 1,215 runs at 67.5 last season, but Chris Veasey has gone to newly-promoted Marton who have also made three other signings.

Left-arm spinner Rauhul Sanghvi, who has played one Test against Australia and ten one-day games for India, is the overseas player while Martin Hood from Redcar will open the batting and Dan Conway has rejoined the club after a spell with Yorkshire and Middlesbrough.

In addition to losing Hood, Redcar will also have to get along without the league's top player in 2005 Neil Russell, and spinner Stuart Mackay, both of whom have departed for Guisborough.

"We've lost an opening bowler and two opening batsmen so it's not going to be easy," observed Brian Smith.

Much attention will be focused on Liam Botham at Northallerton.

The former Hampshire bowler hasn't played regularly for some time but now he has retired from playing Rugby League with Wigan Warriors in the Super League is expected to play a major role on the cricket square.

Jonathan Barnes, meanwhile, one of the most influential all-rounders in the league who has given more than a decade of sterling service to the club, is also in the line-up and the club has also gone for an overseas player in Indian batsman Rashmi Parida.

"With Jonathan with us yet again and newcomers Rashmi and Liam, we are looking forward to a really good season.

"One thing's for sure, there should be plenty of interest in Northallerton," declared captain Ian Gill.