Stokesley were one of the pre-season tips to be amongst the Premier Division title contenders this year, but after a promising start to the campaign a sudden loss of key players has seen a deterioration in results.

The club are immensely proud of the fact 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 more of him in the current campaign, and they have lost a huge presence in the side.

Alongside that their other professional, Doug Mulholland, has been sidelined by a serious back problem that possibly threatens to end his season. Given that he was the League’s leading wicket taker at the time of the injury this is 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 depleted.

Weighell had been released back to the club last Saturday, however, that was Stokesley’s blank day.

With Durham now into short format cricket until next weekend, he has been made available again today, although he is not allowed by Durham to bowl in the home game against Middlesbrough, so plays as a batsman only.

Boro, who have surprised a few people with some positive results, 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, the villagers have won six of their last seven played games, the other one being a winning draw.

Today’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 on 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 are also having to cope with a couple of missing links. Jack Robinson and Phil Merryweather are in France for the Euros, and Richard Watson returns. Prolific Aussie Lachlan Pfeffer will take over the keeping duties from Merryweather.

It’s first versus second at the Lane, with leaders Marske meeting champions Richmondshire in what could be a season defining game for both. 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 after missing Sunday playing for Cumberland.

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.