Title race is hotting up!

Appleby Frodingham v Yorkshire Academy

Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe

12 noon 

With the return of James Pickersgill, the Steelmen should be at full strength for the return fixture with the Yorkshire Academy. It was only a few weeks ago when the visitors gained a comfortable 8 wicket victory at Weetwood. Alex Lees proved to be a match winner on that day and the home side will be looking to avenge that defeat and keep in the top half of the table. Duncan Heath made a successful return in last weekend’s excellent game with Cleethorpes and, although a win proved elusive, the spirit in the team remains extremely high.

Umpires: Trevor Cottam and Steve Boulton

Barnsley v York

Shaw Lane, Barnsley

12 noon

After failing to complete the double over second placed Rotherham Town last Sunday, Barnsley’s young guns turn their attention to table topping York this Saturday. Skipper Jason Booth is back in charge after his holiday break, and hopefully the side will be able to see the debut of their replacement overseas player, Kumal Razdan, an Indian batsman, to hopefully strengthen an often brittle middle batting order.York travel to Shaw Lane with an unchanged side from that which enjoyed a ten wicket victory last Saturday over Driffield. Liam McKendry will be hoping to continue his good run of form which has seen him guide the team through to two successive victories. On Sunday York travel to Weetwood for the YLKO semi final looking to avenge their 150 run humiliation at the hands of the YCA 4 weeks ago. Andrew Tute and Ben Earl come into the side allowing the veterans to take a well earned Sunday off. 

Umpires: Harry Fidler and Stuart Roberts

Castleford v Cleethorpes

Savile Park, Castleford

12 noon 

Castleford welcome back Andrew Chadwick this weekend, after he finished his first year in full-time education. David Wainwright should be available, as he is still being overlooked by YCCC. Meanwhile the West Yorkshire club are currently looking into fundraising options to improve the ground for next season. An electronic scoreboard and extra sightscreens are just a few of the things they are looking into!Cleethorpes on the other hand face a make or break period of the season. With back to back games over the next four weekends they begin with a vital league encounter away at Castleford in the Yorkshire league. Having already despatched Castleford in both league and cup this season, Charlie Tomlinson's side’ enter the game in confident mood.With James Osmond still sidelined with a broken finger and Yaniv Judah out with a neck injury, Paul Sunley continues to deputise, while Eddie Carlton returns after missing the win at Appleby Frodingham last weekend. Alex Osmond continued to impress with the ball taking his second successive six wicket haul to take his league total to 34 for the season so far. Rory Osmond made a welcome return to form with a workmanlike 42 before running himself out, while Tomlinson and keeper James Windeatt showed the power in Cleethorpes middle order with impressive cameos. Sunday’s trip to Scarborough in the Yorkshire League Cup gives Cleethorpes the opportunity of reaching their first league final since 2001, when a young Yorkshire Academy side featuring Ryan Sidebottom and Tim Bresnan, ran out winners. North Marine Road has proved a happy hunting ground for Alex Osmond, who has bagged a staggering 19 league wickets there in his last three visits. Cleethorpes draft in a third spinner in Indy Hayre on a track that usually offers assistance, in Cleethorpes only change from Saturday. 

Umpires: George Wood and Gordon Prescott

Doncaster Town v Scarborough

Town Fields, Doncaster

12 noon

Doncaster Town will hopefully be refreshed after a weekend off, with players having an extra few days to rest their weary bones. Skipper Nick Morley will welcome Scarborough to Town Fields, and will be hoping that the youngsters will put on a good show against the Seasiders. Town keep the same side that went to Appleby Froddingham 2 weeks ago, which means that Chris Cusack gets another chance to show his batting skills.

Umpires: Roger Pugh and Roy Whitehead

Driffield Town v Sheffield United

Kings Mill Road, Driffield

12 noon

Sheffield United make the journey to Driffield this weekend looking to get back to winning ways, after a disappointing result against local rivals Collegiate last Saturday. Congratulations to Joe Tetley in scoring his first Yorkshire League 50 last week, and they hope there will be many more to come in the future. There will be one change this weekend with James Schofield being on holiday, Tom Bollland and Oliver Law come into consideration. 

Umpires: Rob Smith and Richard Perry

Harrogate v Hull

St Georges Road, Harrogate

12 noon 

After a blank weekend following the wash out against Sheffield Collegiate, Bradshaw’s well rested body of men eagerly anticipate the visit of the men from the land of Green Ginger. Harrogate are back to full strength following injuries to Biker, Craven and Twigg. A must win game for Harrogate, this will be played in front of the long awaited New Pavilion at St George’s Road which this week has seen the visit of the Ireland A team, who have been playing a 3 day game against Yorkshire seconds. 

Umpires: Dominic Koch and Ray Knowles

Sheffield Collegiate v Rotherham Town

Abbeydale Park, Sheffield

12 noon

Sheffield Collegiate hope to field the same team against Rotherham Town that played so well at Bawtry Road last Saturday, but this is again dependent on Joe Root's Yorkshire County commitments allowing him to play, and Pete Turnbull returning in time from his British University exploits. Elliot Callis will again bat at the top of the order and should build on his Yorkshire League debut century last weekend - a tremendous achievement for a 16 year old. Another first was Pete Turnbull's YL hat trick last Saturday, which appears to have been missed by the press as it happened over two overs.

Umpires: Tony Blackburn and Paul McFarlane