MARSKE have the chance to make a real impression on the title race this weekend when they play two home games against teams well below them in the Premier Division table.

The Seasiders have blown hot and cold this summer, their last two matches – a defeat at struggling Marton followed by a comfortable victory over Great Ayton –highlighting their inconsistency.

But, in a season where anyone looks capable of beating anyone on their day, they are still in with a shout of honours despite being down in seventh spot.

They are in a group of four teams separated by only eight points and tucked in just below the leading trio – and all four of those contenders have a game in hand on the top three.

Marske play their spare match tomorrow when rivals Redcar are the visitors, but before then they take on Normanby Hall at Windy Hill Lane this afternoon.

The two visiting teams have been showing signs of dragging themselves away from the relegation dogfight, Normanby having recently toppled leaders Richmondshire, and Redcar going into the weekend on the back of two straight victories.

The fact that both still find themselves in and around the danger zone is further testimony to the fact that this is one of the most open seasons in recent memory.

Last season’s two relegated clubs, Saltburn and Sedgefield, managed just one victory each, but already Hall and Redcar have notched up two and three respectively.

Marske, who know what it’s like to struggle after just keeping their heads above the relegation waters in 2014, will be looking to their batsmen to pile on the runs again on one of the best batting surfaces in the North-East.

Saeed Bin Nasir went back to the top of the league run scoring charts with his century in last week’s win – he now has 580 at an average of 97 – while fellow pro Lee Hodgson has moved up to third, and he will be seeking the 30 more he needs to become the third to break the 500-run barrier.

However, Hodgson will only have the first game to reach the milestone as he misses the Redcar match when the hosts hope that Brett Roberts will be fit enough to feature for the first time since straining a calf muscle a few weeks ago.

Normanby will be missing keeper Gary Veasey through injury, although Sam Berry does return.

Redcar expect Ben Hodgson and Michael Rix to be back for their two matches which begin with a home game against Middlesbrough who are able to include Paul Johnston.

Up at the summit four of the five leading teams meet, with champions Darlington hosting second-placed Barnard Castle and unbeaten Stokesley entertaining leaders Richmondshire.

After picking up just three points from the weather-affected draw at Acklam Park last week the Quakers see the return of skipper Matty Brown and Matt Wheeler, while Barney have to reckon without the unavailable Ben Usher, and they promote Richard Stanwix to take his place.

The last meeting between Stokesley and the Dalesmen at the SCG is still painfully etched in the memory of the home team. The September 2014 meeting began with Stokesley in with a chance of the championship if they beat Richmond, and when they had their visitors 46-7 they looked well on the way.

A recovery to 139 by the Dalesmen then looked to be only a minor setback as Stokesley raced to 120-2, only for a monumental collapse to occur with their last eight wickets falling for 15 runs.

Today 30 points separate the sides, but Stokesley have a game in hand on the leaders.

Richmond will be unchanged and Stokesley are boosted by the return of James Beaumont, although they lingering concerns over the fitness of skipper Andrew Weighell.

Newly crowned T20 champions Seaton Carew will be looking to transfer their cup form to the league arena when they travel to Leven Park to take on Great Ayton. Still without a win they are some 62 points away from safety. Jack Stonehouse is recalled, while hosts Ayton are able to include the Grainge brothers.

It’s same again for Norton as they entertain a Guisborough team that includes promising youngster Nick Hood in place of broken finger victim Connor Whitelock, while Hartlepool will be led by Steve Purcifer in the absence of skipper Mike Yuill, Liam Prosser stepping up for the Park Drive meeting with Marton who bring in Ben Hutchinson for the unavailable Dave McCabe.