Quintet seek to boost challenge as NYSD title race hots up

FIVE teams are realistically still in the hunt for this year’s title race as they prepare for what promises to be another exciting weekend.

All five play against opposition below them in the table tomorrow and all will be looking for positive results to maintain their winning aspirations.

New leaders by three points are Richmondshire, who remain unchanged for the second week running when they travel to under-pressure Stokesley, who are also unchanged and “still not in a position to bring in a replacement professional,” said skipper Andrew Weighell.

Second-placed Great Ayton entertain Hartlepool at Leven Park and have Tom Leng missing, but David Grainge returns and Henry Shelton retains his place. Skipper Chris Batchelor said: “We're aiming to finish the season with a few more results like last weekend at Richmondshire. We played brilliantly and our plan is to do it more often. We were surprised to win so easily and expected a flatter pitch. Our bowlers got more out of it than Richmond's and they seemed a bit deflated at the halfway stage of the game. That sort of thing doesn't happen very often to them, but we have learnt a lot by the experience. This weekend's game will be another tough one, but if we are to give Richmondshire a good run for their money, we need another big result.”

Hartlepool have Chris Harrison returning, but he has decided to take a rest from the captaincy, with Lewis Stabler taking over the role. Jonathan Rickard and Neil Coverdale are both missing, as is Alan Tebbett for the second week running. Aaron Feroz returns to the second team, but young spinner Brad Frank retains his place after his four wickets in an impressive debut.

Marske, in third but still with a game in hand, travel to lowly Normanby Hall with Harry Peirson in for Josh Carroll and John Mains for Craig Gratton. Normanby will have Ryan Gibson available for a rare game and Chris Trillo, Jordan Leech and Chris Witherley all return after missing last week. They have a doubt over wicketkeeper Chris Veazey, who was hit on the toe while batting last weekend, and Joe Knott is on stand-by to replace him. Skipper Leigh Beaumont said: “We have played some good cricket recently and the team spirit is extremely high. We now need to start converting performances into points and winning games, so we can start climbing up the table.”

Darlington, after an excellent win at Marske last week, entertain Billingham Synthonia at Feethams. Jack Hardy is unavailable through holiday and Sam Hardy is also unavailable. But Toby Lush and Tom Sowerby both return to bolster the team. Synners are without Chris Atkinson, who is finished with cricket for the rest of the season as he starts a three-week holiday and then goes to play football with Redcar in the Wearside League.

Barnard Castle have Jack Robinson and Rob Dixon returning in place of Richard Stanwix and Tom Merryweather for their game at home to Guisborough. The Priorymen have Chris Nichols missing as he is getting married and will be absent just for his honeymoon week. Richard Dunn is also unavailable.

Middlesbrough are again unchanged and welcome Seaton Carew to Acklam Park. Seaton are proving difficult to beat this season and have only lost three times. They have Stuart Lobb, David Braithwaite and Danny Thomas all returning after missing last weekend's big win over Stokesley.

Norton, in sixth, have no game.

In division one, the title race is also hotting up. Marton moved to within six points of leaders Bishop Auckland with a game in hand and travel to Sedgefield. Bishops entertain Great Ayton at home, while Thornaby, who are 33 points behind the leaders with two games in hand, travel to Northallerton.