Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton give youth a chance when three 16-year-olds line up against Blaydon this morning.

Opener John Watson, leg-spinner Chris Williamson and medium pacer Chris Atkinson all play , but teenager Anthony Bowler makes way for the return of captain Craig Symington.

"The four lads did well last Saturday when we beat Newcastle. It was an important result and we are now fifth bottom with a comfortable cushion," said Norton spokesman Keith Symington.

Blaydon made an excellent start to the season but are now third bottom.

They have suffered through the continued absence of their opening attack with Graeme Onions and Craig Simpson out of action for several weeks.

"Any side would miss the pair. They are frontline bowlers and to make matters worse, Craig Wallace was also missing last Saturday. We may not know until just before the start whether any of them will be able to play but we are definitely missing Johnny O'Neill," bemoaned chairman Ken Forster.

Chester-le-Street have not given up hope of overtaking leaders South Northumberland although captain Allan Worthy reckons it will need a Herculean effort in the second half of the season.

He said: "We've lost three of our last four games playing to win. We could have shut up shop but we will not overtake South North with negative cricket. There is still half the season left and so far as I'm concerned it is all to play for as we have yet to meet the three leading clubs."

The Cestrians line up against Benwell Hill at Ropery Lane without Graeme Bridge or Gareth Breeze but Wayne Ritzema returns to open the batting and keep wicket.

Tomorrow, Chester-le-Street are at home to Greenock in the last 16 of the Cockspur Cup.

Benwell Hill have a doubt surrounding Paul Cummins who has a broken finger, but are hopeful that Callum Thorp and Joe Kilpatrick will turn out.

Sunderland, 19 points off the top despite having won one game more than South North, visit Tynemouth minus Tom Skillbeck so Ronnie Boyd will again deputise behind the wicket.

Batsman Simon Brown will play but a doubt surrounds the fitness of his namesake, the former Durham County paceman who has a hand injury.

Former Sunderland batsman Graeme Hallam faces against his old club when he returns to captain Tynemouth who are minus Saikat Sarkar.

Bottom-of-the-table Philadelphia gave South Northumberland a good game which ended in a draw on the opening day but it could be different today at Bunker Hill.

The visitors have soared to the top while Phili have plunged to the bottom but field their strongest available side for only the second time in several weeks.

Durham County's Mark Turner plays only his second game in six. Michael Smalley is absent for South North and 18-year old Danny Clark is given his chance.

Stockton introduce 15-year-old all-rounder Joel Thwaites for his debut in the home game with Newcastle. He has come through the junior ranks and encouraging performances for the second team have earned him his first game.

Lee Mason joins him because Chris Hooker and Chris Oliver are both sidelined.

Third-top Gateshead Fell are unchanged for their home game with Durham Academy.