Four-time champions South Northumberland have ominously hit the front again.

While their lead is only eight points, the professional way in which they dismantled Norton last week lent great credence to their assertion that once they were back up to full strength they would take some stopping.

Blaydon suffered a shock defeat and travel to Gosforth to take on the leaders today. Blaydon expect to have Mark Stoneman available and they also have the league's leading scorer in their ranks, with Alan Worthy already on 475 runs.

Sunderland won last week, but still slipped further behind. Shahid Nazir was once again at his scintillating best last Saturday and he poses a significant threat to Newcastle today, who have Richie Evans available again and they also hope to have Gareth Breese released for the match by Durham. Sunderland are missing John Watson and Tom Skilbeck, replaced by Michael Robson and Michael Nunn.

Chester-le-Street will make a second attempt to play their Cockspur Cup match at Caythorpe tomorrow but before that the Cestrians, lying in fourth place, go to Gateshead Fell. The visitors will be without Graham Cessford.

Durham Academy draw on their full squad for the visit of Tynemouth to the Racecourse ground.

Norton thought their worries were over a couple of weeks ago but last weekend's combination of results has thrown them right back into the relegation mix, so their home game with Benwell Hill carries extra significance.

South Shields' overseas professional, Theo Doropolous, has had to return home to Australia with an injury, although the club have moved quickly to bring in a bowling replacement, Mark Woodhead, another Aussie. Danny Shurben is also an absentee today in the home game against Stockton. The opener is currently third in the league averages with 391 runs at 65. Matthew Muchall, Philip Bell and wicketkeeper Jimmy Gaff come into the squad of 12.