THE first big event of the NYSD summer takes place on Sunday with the Teesside University Macmillan Cup T20 finals day being staged at Feethams.

The NYSD was the UK trailblazer for coloured clothing club cricket, and with four strong sides going head to head in the lively environment of music, black sightscreens and pink balls, another great day’s cricket is in prospect, with the winner qualifying for the last 32 stage of the national T20, which boasts a floodlit final televised on Sky TV.

It’s an early start for the teams in the first semi-final, with host club Darlington set to take on Middlesbrough at 10am, before Richmondshire lock horns with Billingham Synthonia in the second semi at 1.30pm. The two successful sides will then meet in an early evening showdown for the first major trophy of the season.

For a couple of the teams, finals day will be a completely new experience, with neither of the two Teesside clubs having appeared at the last four stage since the format changed in 2010, and both will possibly start as the underdogs in their respective ties.

Boro are only one place below Darlington in the league table, but they have played two games more and the Quakers have the added bonus of home advantage. However, league form rarely translates into T20 success and, having eliminated league leaders Marske to reach this stage, the Teessiders will not lack confidence.

With Boro free from league commitments tomorrow, they should also be the fresher of the two sides, and they will be at full strength other than Paul Johnston, who has work commitments. Darlington, buoyed by their surprise success in eliminating short format specialists Great Ayton in the previous round, have Jack Hardy back to keep wicket, with James Dobson playing as a batter.

Billingham Synthonia need look no further than 12 months ago for their inspiration. They will be considered the outsiders of the four teams given their league struggles, but Seaton Carew lifted the trophy in 2015 when occupying bottom spot in the Premier Division.

The Synners turned in a top display on Monday night to oust Hartlepool without 1,000-wicket man Martin Cull, a key part of their attack. He returns to put Billingham at full strength against Richmondshire, who would have started the day as outright favourites but for the fact they will be missing their two professionals, Gary Pratt and Toby Bulcock, who are playing Minor Counties cricket for Cumberland. Youngsters Joe Shields and Steven Mather take their places.

The Dalesmen and the Synners also meet at Hurgill Road for a league game tomorrow. Pratt and Bulcock will feature in this one as Richmond look to put last week’s defeat at Marske behind them.

Marske travel to Park Drive to take on a much-strengthened Hartlepool who have Phil Mustard, Neil Coverdale and John Rickard back in the side. The Seasiders will have to cope without the services of Tom Urwin, who is out for up to four weeks after sustaining a broken wrist in last week’s tremendous win against the champions. Gary Lynch will take over the keeping duties, while Richard Mains earns a recall.

Barnard Castle continue to live up to their pre-season billing as one of the title favourites. Now up to second in the table, the return of Tom Merryweather and Jack Robinson from France puts them at full strength against a Stokesley side still coming to terms with the probable season-long absence of Doug Mulholland, who faces a back operation shortly. Also missing is Jonny Weighell, although brother James may receive dispensation from Durham to play.