Teesside University SHLS North Yorkshire South Durham League 2026 Season Preview

Against that backdrop first teams in the top two divisions have been telling us about their potential line-ups and prospects and hopefully all NYSD followers will find this preview a helpful guide to the runners and riders in the top two divisions. There are quotes from the clubs themselves, while the prospects comments are entirely speculative on our part – any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental!!

Premier Division

Barnard Castle

Captain: Karl Carver

Overseas professional: Suminda Lakshan (Sri Lanka)

Barney have pulled off a bit of a coup in the signing of their new overseas pro, Suminda Lakshan, who played for Great Ayton in 2025. The leg-spinning allrounder scored just under 800 runs and claimed 57 wickets in league games alone, and when coupled with a first-class career that boasts a double century he looks set to handsomely complement an already potent squad.

Ins: Tom Hodgson (Sidmouth), Archer Byrne (Overseas amateur, Australia)

Hodgson, a Durham University student, is a quick bowler with National Counties experience with Devon. As a category 3 player Byrne will provide cover for Lakshan should it be needed, whilst boosting Barney’s second string in Division One.

Outs: Josh Bousfield (Burnopfield). The departure of homegrown Bousfield leaves a big hole to fill as the skipper acknowledges ‘Bous has gone to try his fruits in the NEPL and he will be a huge miss, irreplaceable on and off the field.’

Club views: Skipper Karl Carver says ‘Like every year the challenge has been set to the squad to compete on all fronts, it will be difficult to replicate last year but we now have three trophies to defend and we don’t want to be giving them away easily!

‘We are looking to play some exciting cricket and build on last year, aiming for more league and cup success but it won’t be easy as the league is as competitive as it has been since I joined’.

Prospects: 2025 was a record-breaking year. The triple crown, only achieved by three other clubs in the 132-year history of the NYSD, was a monumental effort, and they also came within touching distance of adding a national title to the bulging trophy cabinet.

The loss of Bousfield is undoubtedly a blow, however this is partly offset by the acquisition of Lakshan who, on his day, is a match winner. To win one competition at the top level is hard enough, to win three is a very rare occurence, so it will take a Herculean effort to repeat that feat but, make no mistake, Barney will be firing on all fronts again.

Bishop Auckland

Captain: Matthie Cowling

Overseas: Brandon Lusk (Joondalup CC, Perth, Australia)

Brandon returns to Kingsway for a fourth season having amassed over 1200 runs in all 2025 games for the club. Consistency of performance was the key last year with 10 half-centuries and four scores of 85 or more compiled by the Aussie, one of which was a century.

Ins: Jake Dickinson (Darlington), Kenzie Peakman (Norton), Hugo Croft (Newton le Willows)

Outs: Finlay Barlow (Hartlepool)

Club views: Director of Coaching Steve Chapman is targeting stability and progress ‘Bishops head into the new season with a focus on consolidation, development, and building for the future across all three senior sides.

‘The First XI will once again compete in the Premier League, with the primary aim of securing their status in what is expected to be another highly competitive campaign. A major boost comes with the return of Australian overseas player Brandon Lusk, who impressed with outstanding performances last season. The club will be hoping he can replicate that form, and there is added encouragement as he looks set to resume bowling duties after recovering from a stress fracture.

‘Further strengthening the squad, Jake Dickinson returns to the club after a season away to bolster the seam attack. He is joined by new signing Kenzie Peakman, an opening bowler expected to make an immediate impact with the new ball. Hugo Croft also arrives, offering a valuable leg-spin option alongside his capabilities with the bat, adding further balance to the side.

‘The integration of young talent remains a central focus at Bishop Auckland, with the club committed to building sustainably for the future.’

Prospects: It went right down to the wire for Bishops in 2025, just managing to save their Premier skins on the final day of the season, so their ambition will be to ensure they don’t get themselves into the same situation again. Consolidation will be seen as success.

Darlington

Captain: Nathan Wright

Overseas professional: Qasim Akram (Pakistan)

Ins: Scott Steel (Philadelphia)

Out: Jake Dickinson (Bishop Auckland), Martin Ferguson (Hetton Lyons)

Club views: New skipper Nathan Wright is looking forward to competing in the top division again ‘Two strong additions for the 2026 season in Scott Steel and Qasim Akram. Scott who has previously played for Durham and Leicestershire has spent the winter in Australia so we hope he can hit the ground running. Qasim is a 23-year-old Pakistani who has previously captained his national team at Under 19 level. A spinning all-rounder who we are excited to have at Feethams.

‘We are looking forward to the challenge of playing Premier League cricket again. With two strong additions to our side we are confident of retaining Premier League status and competing in all competitions.

Prospects: The Quakers breezed through last year’s Division One campaign to regain their place at the top table. It will undoubtedly be a tougher test in the Premier however they have some really promising youngsters in their ranks, and with top performers Owen Harwood and Liam Burgess retained and complemented by two strong new signings Darlington will be expecting to be competitive in all games.

Darlington RA

Captain: Paul Freary

Overseas Professional: Jawad Ali (Pakistan)

Ins: Colin Ackerman (County contracted, Durham and Holland), Peer Lidsba (Scarborough College), Liam Mays (Durham University), Thomas Howes (Bishops Stortford), Charlston Davidson (Durham University)

Outs: Sachithra Serasinghe (Saltburn)

Club views: New chairman Peter Armstrong has clear aims ‘Continue to improve on our Premier League position and be more competitive in cup competitions. I’m excited to see how Jawad Ali performs in his first season in the UK after an excellent first class season.

‘Colin Ackerman will be a massive addition when his Durham commitments allow. Peer Lidsba will be available all season and looking forward to seeing how he performs as he comes highly recommended by Piet Rinke.’

Prospects: Once again hard to call. They have a plethora of players with top level experience and there has once again been a significant churn. There is little doubt Serasinghe is a major loss given that he was the Premier’s top run scorer in 2025 as well as picking up useful wickets, but there would appear to be some impressive newcomers filling the void. We’ll repeat what we said at the beginning of last season - on paper RA would seem to be potential challengers at the right end of the table.

Hartlepool

Captain: Yash Vagadia

Second year of captaincy. Following the completion of his studies at Durham University, and a close-season in New Zealand he will be aiming to build on an excellent 2025 when he scored 831 league runs at an average of 51.94. He also remains with Yorkshire CCC for the 2026 season, combining both roles.

Overseas professional: Mohammad Asghar (Pakistan)

Asghar previously played in the NYSD in 2023 and 2024 with Middlesbrough, where he enjoyed great success. In 2023, he took 64 league wickets at an average of 11.59, followed by 44 wickets at 15.95 in 2024. A well-established first-class cricketer in Pakistan, he has taken over 200 wickets and recently won two domestic trophies with Karachi. It is understood it may be a May before he arrives.

County contracted: Scott Borthwick (England and Durham).

Yash Vagadia (Yorkshire)

Ins: Finlay Barlow (Bishop Auckland) – welcomed back to his home club following a year at Kingsway.

Luke Symington (Norton) – the NYSD’s Young Player of the Year in 2025 when he scored almost 700 league runs. An outstanding prospect who has featured in Durham’s Academy and second team and with ambitions to play first-class cricket.

Craig Symington (Norton) – a return to Park Drive for someone who will bring invaluable experience and leadership.

Outs: Ollie Mole (Stockton), Dylan Moore (Seaton Carew).

Club views: ‘It is difficult to make firm predictions, as the Premier League looks particularly strong this time, with several clubs making high-quality additions.

‘Naturally, we would love to compete for silverware; however, the overall depth across the league will make this a significant challenge. If we can build on the progress made in 2025, that would represent a strong achievement.

Prospects: Finishing fourth last time out the new signings offer tantalising prospects. Asghar is a proven NYSD performer whilst Scott Borthwick, in his benefit year for Durham, brings top level nous to the table. For large parts of the 2025 season Pools were challenging for honours but fell away in the second half of the campaign. They look to have recruited well but success may once again be linked to the ability to get their best team out on a regular basis, however there is no doubt that on their day they will be a handful for anyone.

Marske

Captain: Jack English

Overseas amateur: Reyan Nadeem (Stockton)

All-rounder from Pakistan; he has previous NYSD experience of playing two seasons as overseas amateur at Guisborough in division 1. A top order batsman and he bowls off spin.

Ins: Hassan Raza (Newcastle City), Zuhaib Khan (Great Ayton), Zain Qureshi (Thornaby), Layton Gray (Redcar), Sam Malbon-Green, Ben Malbon-Green (both Skelton Castle).

Outs: Jay Vine (2025 overseas amateur), Fred Nicholls, Mathew Austin (both Saltburn).

Club views: Secretary John Mains has survival on his mind: ‘After getting promoted last year one would expect it to be a more difficult season for us this year. Our aim is to be competitive in every game that we take part in. Our aspiration for this season is survival, and to remain in the premier league’.

Prospects: They scraped promotion by the narrowest of margins and back in the Premier Division for the first time since relegation in 2021 it is hard to gauge how they will do before a ball is bowled. They have a large intake of new recruits and could well spring a few surprises, however it may well be that they have to battle away to retain their hard won status. One thing is for certain, a few batters around the league will welcome a return to Windy Hill Lane.

Marton

Captain: Ben Hutchinson

Overseas Professional: Asif Afridi (Pakistan)

Has played one Test Match (October 2025) in which he took six wickets in an innings against the World Test champions South Africa. Currently playing in the Pakistan Super League for Pindiz and with a Test series in May he may be late arriving in the North East.

County Contracted: Dan Moriarty (Yorkshire)

Will play when county commitments permit – previous club side Sessay.

Ins: Gareth Shaw (Saltburn)

Returns to his home club where he played his junior cricket and is pencilled in to open the batting.

Outs: None

Club views: Skipper Ben Hutchinson wants to take the club to the next level ‘Looking at trying to compete again like last year after just narrowly missing out and hopefully pick up some silverware with a cup and or league.’

Prospects: The dramatic end to the 2025 season, which saw Marton tie their final day game to finish second just 9 points behind champions Barnard Castle, is an itch just waiting to be scratched. They did earn some solace with a blistering performance in winning the Premier Hundred and have realistic ambitions for more success, particularly as they have retained the services of former Yorkshire duo Lee Hodgson and Ryan Gibson who decimated more than one attack last year.

The loss of overseas pro Muhammad Irfan who enjoyed an outstanding season, is definitely a blow, however if they can get their new overseas here in good time, and get some games out of Dan Moriarty, then they will be a force to be reckoned with again.

Middlesbrough

Captain: James Lowe

Overseas pro: Ankur Malik (India)

A leg-spinning all-rounder who bats right-handed. The 22-year-old plays for Sikim and has 22 first-class games under his belt in which he averages 44 with the bat whilst taking 78 wickets.

Ins: None

Outs: Matthew Bell (Guisborough), Aaron Lawson (Guisborough), Mohammad Basit (last year’s pro).

Club views: Skipper James Lowe set out his aims: ‘To challenge at the top end of the table and in all cups, aim for top 4 finish. The bigger picture is to push our exciting crop of young players and give them opportunities to progress in the first and 2nd team.’

Prospects: It may be more of the same for the Boro after 2025 saw them comfortably placed in mid table but well back from the leading clubs. Another new pro will need to be bedded in but Malik will add bowling options that Basit, despite his qualities as a batter, did not.

Boro have relatively recent success on their side having been Premier champions in 2022 and Macmillan winners in 2024, so they know what it takes and it could be that the cup competitions offer their best chance of adding to their honours board. James Lowe is obviously a safe pair of hands in the skipper’s role, and his ability to bring on youngsters will once again prove invaluable.

Richmondshire

Captain: Dan Hodgson

Overseas Professional: Lalith Mohan (India)

An orthodox left arm spinner playing his cricket for Andhra. The 36-year-old has 125 first-class wickets to his name.

County Contracted: Shafiqullah Ghafari. The Afghan under 19 international’s 280 wickets for the Dalesmen in three seasons earned him a contract with Durham. Depending on county commitments his leg-spin will once again be a crucial factor, not to mention his recently discovered batting skills.

Ins: Owen Kelly (Bedale). The well-travelled batter returns to his home club

Outs: Bob Carr (Dublin), Dhanusha Gamage (Dandenong, Australia).

Club views: New skipper Dan Hodgson is looking for the Dalesmen to return to title winning ways: ‘The aim for the 1st XI is to challenge at the top of the Premier Division, continuing the standards we’ve set in recent seasons. We believe the cup competitions could suit us, given the depth and variation in our bowling options. We’ll also be targeting runs in the National competition and the White Rose Trophy, where we’ll be hoping to defend our title.’

Prospects: After the convincing manner in which they won the championship the previous year 2025 proved a bit of a shock to the system – a third-place finish and no silverware in the cup competitions was a most un-Richmond like outcome for the former national champions who are a team that normally sets the standard for others to follow.

There has been very little change at Hurgill Road this time around save for the departure of former skipper Bob Carr for work reasons which leaves a biggish hole in the batting line up although it is understood he may manage a few games on occasions throughout the season. And talking of availability much may also hinge on how many games Shaffi Ghafari will play as he seeks to make a real go of his Durham opportunity. All that said Richmond’s undoubted overall club strength, augmented by a magnificent array of junior talent, will almost certainly ensure they will be there or thereabouts when the honours are dished out.

Saltburn

Captain: Sam Parry

Overseas Pro: Mubasir Khan (Pakistan)

A young off-spinning all-rounder who has played one T20 international for his country. Already has 2500 first-class runs and 96 wickets.

Ins: Sachithra Serasinghe (Darlington RA). The former Sri Lankan first-classer enjoyed an outstanding season with RA in 2025, being the League’s top run scorer with 1066 runs.

Joe Emmerson (Norton), Sam Spencley (Guisborough) – two young players with tremendous potential.

Outs: Husnain Bukhari (694 league runs and 54 wickets in 2025) was ineligible to return.

Gareth Shaw (Marton) has returned to his former club, while Lucas Parry is working in London and Tom and Josh Chisholm have hung up their boots for the time being.

Club views: Skipper Sam Parry acknowledges the loss of some key players but remains optimistic about his side’s prospects: ‘Due to the number of outgoings the committee have worked very hard to fill the voids left. 2026 is a season of transition for Saltburn with plenty of movement over the winter - but we are very much looking forward to this year. Our league position last year was disappointing, so we hope to build on that and challenge at the top end whilst picking up some more cup silverware.

Prospects: The title success of 2023 was followed by a Collingwood Cup win last time out and the Seagulls hope to be flying high again. It will be intriguing to see how the significant changes pan out – yes, some very important players have left, but the quality of replacements provide optimism that Saltburn can return to challenging at the right end of the table.

Stockton

Captain: Jimmy Ward

Overseas Professional: Mohammed Adil (Pakistan). An exciting young right arm fast bowler who favours swinging conditions. Has a first-class bowling average of 23. First time in the UK.

Ins: Lewis Beaumont – has returned from Australia and will be available for the full season.

Ollie Mole (Hartlepool), Roby Singh (Marton)

Outs: Reyan Nadeem (Marske)

Club views: Jimmy Ward replaces long serving Joe Hewison at the helm and has clear aims: ‘From a first team point of view we set out a plan 2 years ago trying to do things right on and off the pitch and which has gone really well so far putting us ahead of where we would have expected, competing in the top half of the league and reaching back to back cup finals.

The season ahead is one we are really excited about, last year was a fair reflection on where we are as a team I believe so the plan is quite simple in what I think will be a very competitive league this year - achieve more league points than the 2025 season which will see us competing in the right half of the table, push for cup success and go one further than the last 2 seasons and do everything we can to get a trophy in the cabinet this season. Having had disappointing returns in the T20 and Kerridge the last 2 seasons, we are re-entering the National and Collingwood, so there is plenty to play for!’

Prospects: Mid-table in 2025 Stockton look to have consolidated their squad and if the big guns, such as ex-Durham player Adam Hickey, hit their straps this time around then they could be in for a fascinating summer. The performance of their new pro will be of particular interest - with clubs tending to opt for spinning all-rounders these days it is refreshing to see a return to pace allied to swing.

Stokesley

Captain: Finlay Morris

Overseas Pro: Sahan Nanayakkara (Sri Lanka). The left arm spinner and lower order batsman returns to the SCG for a second season after impressing in the latter stages of 2025, ending fifth in the League bowling averages with 52 wickets at 16.4 apiece.

Ins: Alan Titus (Durham University). Hails from the Cambridge region – a right-handed top order batter.

Joey Snow (Middlesbrough), Ben Flower (Swarkestone), Evan Morris (Pickering)

Outs: None

Club views: Club chair Andrew Weighell is looking to turn near misses into silverware with a settled team: ‘Our aim is to better last year’s league finish of 5th place and look for some silverware in the cup competitions after recent disappointments in several major finals.’

Prospects: The club hope to see more of former first-classer James Weighell subject to his work commitments, and they are also looking forward to Harry Harding being able to enjoy an injury free summer after fully recovering from the ankle injury that restricted his bowling in 2025.

Never an easy team to predict, occasionally mixing indifferent displays with some outstanding efforts. Last season was generally a pleasing campaign and with stability and greater availability of key players it should be the case that they can compete with the best again.

Division One

Bedale

Captain: George Spink

Overseas Amateur: Currently under discussion and pending but no formal announcement as yet.

Ins: Marc Lockey, Xavier Lockey, Joe Brookes (all Rockliffe Park).

Outs: Ben McCall (New Zealand), Owen Kelly (Richmondshire), Sam Owen (?).

Club views: Skipper George Spink is hoping for another solid season in Division One with an ambition to go ‘one better this year.’

Prospects: Bedale have made great strides in the last few seasons – fifth in 2024, they finished fourth last time out and were, for a good part of the campaign, in with a realistic shout of promotion.

The loss of Sam Owen is a concern given his excellent run scoring record in recent times, whilst Owen Kelly will be another big miss. However, Owen’s brother James – the 2025 Division One Player of the Year – is still at Leyburn Road, and young Xavier Lockey is a player of immense promise so if they secure a decent overseas amateur they could well be competing at the top end of the division again.

Billingham Synthonia

Captain: Tom Wing

Overseas amateur: Tonius Simon (West Indies).

Ins: None

Outs: None

Club views: The skipper says: ‘We have had no significant changes at Billingham from a first team perspective, and our ambition is gain promotion into the top division.’

Prospects: The Synners have been desperately unlucky to miss out on promotion in each of the last two seasons and they will clearly be aiming to put that behind them and be up there challenging again.

It is highly unusual in this day and age to see no player movement, in or out, and Billingham will be quietly confident that the stability of squad they have, which carries with it the experience of regular promotion campaigns, will be enough to ease them over the line at last.

Great Ayton

Captain: Tom Crown

Ins: Stuart Lobb (Seaton Carew)

Martin Philpot (Guisborough)

Outs: Suminda Lakshan (Barnard Castle)

Zohaib Khan (Marske)

Matty Brown (Brandon)

Club views: In his second year as skipper Tom Crown is hoping to lead the Villagers to an immediate return to the top flight: ‘Having endured the disappointment of being relegated from the Premier Division last year, Great Ayton are seeking to bounce back strong.

‘Retaining the majority of the 2025 playing squad and bolstering with a couple of key additions, we will be looking to be competitive on all fronts with aspirations of a return to the Premier Division.’

Prospects: A relegation season always takes some getting out of the system but in the final curtain call Ayton were only six points away from safety which suggests they may have enough in the tank to mount a serious challenge.

Martin Philpot’s return to the club boosts the attack and given that he took 57 league wickets in this division in 2025 he should provide an additional cutting edge. Although he will miss the opening fixtures Stuart Lobb’s match winning abilities are well known at this level and he will bring vast experience to the side in their quest for a quick return to the top flight.

Guisborough

Captain: Nathan Bell

Overseas Amateur: Matthew Gaskett (Australia)

Ins: Matthew Bell (Middlesbrough)

Liam Kennedy (Marton)

Aaron Lawson (Middlesbrough)

Outs: Martin Philpot (Great Ayton)

Sam Spencley (Saltburn)

Charlie Peirson (Normanby Hall)

Max Cowey (Normanby Hall)

Club views: Nathan Bell takes the helm for the first time and is looking for an improvement after a difficult campaign in 2025: ‘Looking ahead, the club’s main aim this season is to improve and compete in every single game, but there is a real belief that this squad can take a step forward if things come together. With a mix of new signings and returning players, building consistency will be key, turning close games into wins and maintaining performance levels across the full season’.

Prospects: Guisborough have spent the last couple of seasons looking over their shoulder at the relegation trapdoor – they were just seven points clear of the dreaded drop in 2025 – but with Matthew Bell bringing a host of top level experience to the squad things could be on the up despite the loss of two key players in Philpot and Spencley.

Aussie Matthew Gaskett plays his cricket in Melbourne but does have experience of English conditions having played for Marske in 2023. He was just 21 then but claimed a decent haul of wickets and the Priorymen will be boosted if he can bring an additional cutting edge to their attack.

Normanby Hall

Captain: - Jordan Leech

County contracted: Dominic Leech

Ins: Charlie Pierson (Guisborough)

Max Cowey (Guisborough)

Outs: None

Club views: Neil Hutchinson is looking for the side to be in the mix this season: ‘Hopefully we’ll be more competitive, improve on last season's 7th place and have a run in one or more of the cups.’

Prospects: Hall set their sights on holding their own in Division One in 2025 and they achieved that goal with a little bit to spare. This should give them the base to push on this summer and with Dom Leech able to play when county commitments allow, and no players having left, a top half finish should not be beyond them.

Norton

Captain: Matthew Thomas

County Contracted: James Minto

Ins: Joe Carroll (Felling)

Shaun Gayle (Haughton)

Simon Warne (Darlington RA)

Clint Wolverson (Northallerton)

Haseeb Shoukat (Ingleby Barwick)

Muhammad Ali (Ingleby Barwick)

Moshin Khan (Ingleby Barwick)

Outs: Luke Symington (Hartlepool)

Craig Symington (Hartlepool)

Kenzie Peakman (Bishop Auckland)

Joe Emmerson (Saltburn)

Adam Gittens (Newton Aycliffe)

Club views: Matt Thomas is philosophical about the task ahead: ‘The overall aim for the season is to be competing in all 4 leagues. We also have a batch of junior players that we are wanting to embed more in senior teams and push for places in the First XI.

‘We are under no illusion that Division 1 is going to be very tough. There are a lot of good teams/individuals playing in the league. For me, the main thing is for lads to enjoy their cricket on and off the field. We have had a very good pre-season and looking forward to the season ahead.’

Prospects: Norton have an admirable reputation for developing their own players and the fact that in recent years they had four youngsters from the club in a County Academy team in the same year is a phenomenal achievement.

Relegation from the Premier has had the almost inevitable effect of several of their quality youngsters moving on to continue to play at the top level so yet again the club are in a rebuilding phase and this may mean they will have to settle for consolidation in the upcoming campaign.

Sedgefield

Captain: Ben Swindale

Overseas Amateur: Harry Flynn (Australia). A young (21) left hand all-rounder from Ringwood CC in Melbourne.

Ins: Kieran Latcham (Mainsforth)

Outs: None

Club views: Ben Swindale is clear in the target for Sedgefield this summer: ‘We are aiming for promotion to the Premier this year. Our juniors remain strong and give the club great strength in depth.’

Prospects: A sixth-place finish last year could well be bettered this time around given the stability of resources which are augmented by the return of Keiran Latcham who will add more run scoring power. Ben Swindale led by example in 2025, finishing as the division’s top batter with just short of 900 league runs, and with experienced Aussie Flynn arriving with a good reputation their prospects look good.

Thornaby

Captain: Lewis Harper

Overseas amateur:

Ins: Faheem Uddin (Wolviston)

Jack Turnbull (Seaton Carew)

Joe Clarkson (Northallerton)

Outs: Dave Seymour (Gateshead)

Luke Gettings (Australia)

Club views: Secretary Marc Bould reflected on the ins and outs: ‘In terms of player recruitment we have re-signed 3 players, who have previously had successful spells at the club.

‘Faheem Uddin has re-signed from Wolviston, who brings some hard hitting to our middle order, as well as a back-up wicket keeper option. Jack Turnbull - "Jaffa" is someone we have been working hard to get back to TCC, he will bring lots of experience with the new ball and is a much valued left hand option. And

in keeping with the left arm theme, were also delighted to sign Joe Clarkson from Northallerton, following a very good spell previously at the club. Joe brings some solidity to our batting, as well as a really useful left arm spin option.

‘Unfortunately, we have just found out the overseas amateur we have been in discussion with to sign from Pakistan, has been unsuccessful in his visa application, so as things stand we will not have one, for the start of the season at least.

‘In terms of outgoings, we are disappointed to lose Dave Seymour who has opted to play closer to home in Gateshead. In addition Luke Gettings has extended his stay in Australia and is unlikely to be here for the vast majority of the season if any of it.

‘Both players will be sorely missed, both on and off the pitch, but we’re confident other players in the team will step up and fill their shoes with bat and ball.

Prospects: The club are confident about their promotion chances and also about their cup winning capabilities following success in two short format competitions last summer.

Lewis Harper is taking on a new challenge for him and can lead from the front through his performances, while Danny Clark continues to be a top performer at this level. With the new recruits expect to see Thornaby challenging on all fronts as the season unfolds.

Rockliffe Park

Captain: Tom Ward

Overseas Amateur: Aaron Fernando (Dandenong, Australia). A batter and right arm bowler who played for Darlington in 2022.

Ins: Sam Telford (Shildon Railway)

Outs: Marc and Xavier Lockey, Joe Brookes (all Bedale)

Club views: Skipper Tom Ward reflected on the challenge ahead: ‘We are hoping to have a good first season back in Division One, we feel on our day we can compete with anyone! It is just finding consistency that is the challenge. A solid first year would be mid table, with the younger players continuing to develop.’

Prospects: Rockliffe came bouncing back into the second tier with an impressive title winning Division Two season. Their one previous dalliance with Division One cricket was in 2023 when they were unable to avoid going straight back down, and they will therefore understandably be looking to hold on to their hard won status this time around.

They have a relatively stable squad, several of whom have the experience to lean on, and given the ease with which they won promotion last year was much more convincing than their previous 2022 promotion year they could well be capable of holding their ground.

Barnard Castle II

Richmondshire II

Stockton II

It’s five years since there were three second teams playing in Division One so the battle for the Second Teams Salver, the prize which goes to the leading second team in league cricket, is going to be hotly contested.

Current holders Richmondshire have known strength in depth and will be desperate to finish above local rivals Barnard Castle – the difference between the two was just two points in 2025 and both were too close for comfort to the drop zone.

This season Barney have a South Australian fast bowler who will play in the second string as the club’s overseas amateur, and their stated ambition is to hold their own in the first division and maintain their status…’it will be very challenging, but we have some good talent across the squads.’

Newly promoted Stockton came through strongly to take the second promotion spot in Division Two and they maintain that they have the necessary overall strength to give a good account of themselves at the higher level.

It is quite likely that the three teams, whilst vying for the honour of being the best second team in the league, will also upset one or two first team apple carts in the process.

Let’s get the season started!