Roberts returns as leaders Marske take on Boro

LEADERS Marske take an 11-point advantage into their match at home to Middlesbrough tomorrow.

Brett Roberts, who missed the Kerridge Cup final with a shoulder injury, returns and hopes to be able to bowl for the first time for a month. Boro have brothers Joe and Sam Gaudie returning, but Paul Johnston is missing again through work.

Barnard Castle, on the back of their Kerridge Cup success over Marske last Sunday, travel to Hartlepool and Richard Watson, the 12th man for the cup final, replaces James Alderson, who is at a wedding.

Great Ayton are without John Grainge (holidays) at Darlington, but fast bowler Joe Marsay returns after missing last weekend. Henry Shelton deputises for Grainge as wicket-keeper. Darlington have Sam Hardy returning to replace Tom Sowerby, while Alex Simpson is again released by Durham Academy and keeps his place.

Richmondshire need to start winning again to stay in the title race, but are without professional Toby Bulcock, who has been suspended for four games after a disciplinary hearing. He served the first of these games last Saturday. They are at home to Norton, who will want to improve on last week’s dismal performance.

The big game at the bottom is between Billingham Synthonia and Stokesley. Synners are unchanged and club captain Mike Atkinson said: “It's going to be as tough as they come. For both teams it could be make or break time; if we win, we could cut the points gap between the two teams to less than 15 – at the moment it is 29 – and, with a game in hand, we would be in a much stronger position to avoid relegation. We are disappointed that we have been underperforming, but if we show fighting spirit in our last seven games, we could survive."

If Stokesley win, they could lift themselves about 50 points clear of their bottom-placed rivals and about 40 points clear of second-bottom Normanby Hall, who don't play this weekend. Stokesley have lost nine and won just one of their last 12, while Billingham have lost eight and won two.

Guisborough have four key players missing in Richard Dunn (holiday), Tom Gittens, Martin Hood and Neil Russell as they travel to in-form Seaton Carew, who are without David Braithwaite.

In division one, where only one team is promoted this year to compensate for the league re-structure next season, Marton lead the way by 14 points. They entertain Bishop Auckland, who are second, in a game which could have a huge bearing on the promotion race. The home side are in great nick, having won their last five league games, and the visitors have won four of their last five, so it’s all set up for an interesting match.

Thornaby, who are third with a game in hand, entertain Richmondshire.