STOKESLEY were one of the pre-season tips to be among the Premier Division title contenders, but a sudden loss of key players after a promising start has seen a deterioration in results and the heat is on to reverse the slump.

The club are immensely proud that James Weighell is the first person in their history to become a first-class player, and his nine-wicket haul for Durham in the County Championship match at Edgbaston a couple of weeks ago was greeted with great joy. But his success means they are unlikely to see much more of him in the current campaign.

In addition, their other professional, Doug Mulholland, has been sidelined by a serious back problem that could possibly end his season. Given that he was the league’s leading wicket-taker at the time of the injury, this is a bit of a hammer blow and, with last year’s leading club bowler Richard Chandler also on extended injury leave and James Beaumont only available now and then because of work commitments, the bowling reserves are seriously depleted.

With Durham now playing short format cricket until next weekend, Weighell can play for Stokesley tomorrow, but is not allowed by Durham to bowl in the home game against Middlesbrough, so will play as a batsman only.

Boro will be missing Paul Johnston and Mike Cook for the SCG game, although Adil Ditta is expected to play despite damaging his thumb in their last match.

In contrast to their near neighbours, Great Ayton are upwardly mobile. After their opening day defeat, they have won six of their last seven games, the other being a winning draw.

Tomorrow’s Leven Park encounter with Barnard Castle is vying with the game at Windy Hill Lane for the match of the day tag, but Ayton go into the tussle without David Grainge, who played a crucial role in securing the victory at Guisborough last Sunday, but damaged a leg muscle while batting and had to retire hurt. The prognosis is that he could be out for three to four weeks, so in-form Tom Leng is handed an opportunity.

Barney have to cope without Jack Robinson and Phil Merryweather, who are visiting France to watch a bit of football, and their places are taken by Richard Watson and someone yet to be named. Prolific Aussie Lachlan Pfeffer will take over the keeping duties from Merryweather.

It’s first versus second at the Lane, with leaders Marske set to lock horns with champions Richmondshire. The Seasiders are unchanged, with Harry Pearson, who made his debut last weekend, retaining his place, but the Dalesmen have to reckon without Mattie Cowling and both the Fleming brothers. Youngsters Joe Shields, Stephen Mather and Adam Langhorne are drafted in, while Gary Pratt and Toby Bulcock return.

Elliott Holmes, Adam Greenwell and Tom Harper all return to the Billingham line-up for their home match against Seaton Carew, Lee Craggs and Ben Simpson feature for Darlington when they host Guisborough, and Norton go to Cricket Lane, where Normanby Hall have Chris Veazey returning and Ryan Gibson back from Yorkshire commitments.