Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton go in search of their first win of the season, but they will not find it easy against South Northumberland, the only unbeaten side in the league.

The Tynesiders toppled Chester-le-Street from pole position last weekend and are currently in a rich vein of form. "We started okay, but things have not gone well recently," said Norton chairman Keith Symington.

"We have been unlucky in that we have not been able to call on Nicky Hatch or Simon Hawke for many games and the pressure has been on captain Kenny Gresham."

Norton currently trail Tynemouth by ten points at the bottom but expect Hatch to play today. However, two members of the team are unavailable.

Hawke has been troubled with an injury to his shoulder and Matthew Brown is also unavailable leaving the way open for Neil Fox and 16-year-old Danny Nowell to stake their claims.

While Norton struggle, South North are buoyant and skipper John Graham firmly believes his side can challenge all the way for the championship.

"It was a great result defeating Chester-le-Street in their own backyard," Graham said.

"Not many sides go to Ropery Lane and come away victors, but I thought our attack performed exceedingly well.

"At one end we have an international Test bowler in Reon King and at the other end a county player in Durham's Ian Hunter. That's not a bad pairing by any standard."

With Richard Brook available South North make just one change and Matthew Hall is the player to give way. After leading the table, Stockton are now fifth. Chris Hooker, who recently had an appendix operation, is back in the line-up for the attractive fixture with Durham Academy, which will be played at Maiden Castle.

Guy Darwin, who last season played for Bedale, looked good making a half-century last Saturday and he is also named in a near full-strength side to be captained by the former Durham player, Alan Walker. Chester-le-Street are at full strength for their fixture with Philadelphia at Bunker Hill. Although they lost for the first time in their previous game they are strong enough to go all the way and Phili will have to produce something better if they are to show profit.

Their problems have been compounded by being unable to name a first choice line-up for any match so far. Indeed, they have never fielded the same side twice and further changes will be made this morning.

Captain Andrew Roseberry, the former Glamorgan and Leicestershire player, has played only once because of a troublesome ankle injury but he is pencilled in to start.

Gavin Reed, who made a hugely-impressive debut a fortnight ago when he returned figures of four for 20 in 13 overs, should play his second game, but the former Middlesbrough spinner, Lee Beaumont, is definitely ruled out having broken a finger in the recent match with Sunderland.

Blaydon have surely come up with a winner in West Indian Neil McGarrell. He scored one of the best centuries seen on the ground for a long time last Sunday when Blaydon defeated Newcastle in the Banks Salver. The fixture is reversed today and whereas runs would be useful, it is in the bowling department that the spinner has been most successful.

In six games, he has claimed 21 wickets at a cost of just eight runs apiece and in all games he has conceded only 16 boundaries from the 724 balls he has delivered.

"We are over the moon with Neil," said chairman Ken Forster.

"His innings last Sunday was stupendous and his bowling has been absolutely consistent from day one."

The home side are determined to exact revenge and skipper Wayne Ritzema is confident his side can climb up the table.

Former Durham City youngster Joel Hughes makes his debut, but Tim Stonoch, who has impressed since his move from the same club, cannot turn-out. Keith Brown is his replacement.

Newly-installed leaders Sunderland meet champions Benwell Hill at Ashbrooke. Skipper Simon Old is hopeful that Andrew Pratt will replace James Lowe as the Durham player and that Adam Applegarth will return after checking his fitness with the second team last week.

Former Middlesex and Durham County opener Michael Roseberry also plays, but Stuart Pattison and Tom Skillbeck are sidelined.

Neither Phil Mustard nor Michael Gough can play for Benwell Hill and both Martin Pollard and Mark Wright are also unavailable.

Ollie Bellwood makes his seasonal debut following his return from Loughborough University and James Walder and Steve Dunsford are named.

Tynemouth, just ten points better off than Norton at the bottom, host Gateshead Fell. Neither side has yet tasted success and the Seasiders are stronger with the inclusion of early order batsman Wayne Falla and spinner Chris Beever. The Fell show just one alteration with left-arm spinner David Young, who has given stirling service to the club, taking over from Ian Pattison.