TWO sides looking for their first victory of the season in the Dukes NEPL meet at Ashbrooke today when Sunderland play a Stockton side who are still not certain that their Sri Lankan, Malintha Gajanayake, will be here for the game. Second team centurion Chris Parr is handed his opportunity.

The Wearsiders go into the match unchanged, although with one subtle difference.

Durham player Paul Hindmarch was unable to bowl in the opener because of muscle spasms in his back, but he will lead the attack.

South Shields start as heavy favourites on Teesside where they take on an unchanged Norton. For Shields, Chris Watson is injured, and Oliver Stedman is playing rugby. Lee Whalley and their overseas amateur, Australian Adam Coyte, are drafted in.

Chester-le-Street’s Simon Birtwistle makes his seasonal debut in his team’s home match with Benwell Hill after recovery from injury, and Blaydon tackle Newcastle.

The top four go head to head in the Wellstream NTSL with third-placed Leadgate including Glen Fletcher for their home game with full strength table-toppers Swalwell, and Graeme Angus fit again for Shotley Bridge’s trip to Tynedale.

Bottom club Ryton have signed Durham man Ben Harmison and hope he will prove the catalyst for a revival.

Durham City and Eppleton take on star billing in the Warmseal Durham Senior League’s second round of matches.

Eppleton are clear at the top of the one-game-old league table, and City are still basking in the glow of being the first team to defeat Hetton Lyons in a league match since 2007.

Table-toppers Eppleton are unchanged, whilst last week’s top run maker for City, Subhan Christudhas, will be missing. University student Tom Chappell is drafted in.

Bobby Steele makes his debut for Philidaelphia in their home match with Felling while Jonny Wightman will play for Boldon today against unchanged Hetton Lyons.

There is a Bank Holiday double for teams in the Readers Durham County League, and by Monday at least two of the five one hundred per cent records will have gone as Etherley entertain Kimblesworth and Shildon take on Mainsforth today.

Etherley skipper Carl Mc- Gregor credited his new contact lenses for his match winning opening day century, and he takes an unchanged team into action against the champions, who include keeper Barry Strong in their line-up after his return from honeymoon.

Mainsforth have Ian Thompson back and may have Sri Lankan Diraj Perera if his visa comes through in time, whilst the Railwaymen include 16-year old leggie Greg Upton. Crook will play their first league game today at Esh Winning who they defeated in the 2008 Ray Clish Cup final last Sunday.

As teams in the 3D Durham Coast League head into the second round of fixtures, title favourites Castle Eden travel to resurgent Peterlee. The visitors keep the same side that won last week, while Peterlee include former Castle Eden batsman Daniel Greener.

Ryhope are at Silksworth while ex-Sunderland man John Atkinson will make his debut for Seaham Park against Murton.