Foster's Durham Senior League: Hetton Lyons' resolve will be tested this afternoon when they entertain Burnmoor. The current champions have gradually moved up the league and are fourth, writes Bob Gidney.

Burnmoor will come up against former player Des Beach, who returned three for 20 in the rain affected game earlier in the season.

Graham Hoban returns for Hetton Lyons and youngster Owen Gwyn steps down. Burnmoor announce the same side that overwhelmed South Shields last week.

Whitburn are faced with an awkward fixture at home to South Hetton, who were unfortunate not to beat Eppleton in their last game.

South Hetton's Ashok Patel has been in fine form of late with both bat and ball. His slow left arm bowling has brought him nine wickets in the last two games and has 26 wickets to date at an economical 11 runs apiece. Bob Steel misses the game and John Leslie takes over the captaincy. South Hetton have Kyle Bradbury and Steven Massey returning.

Whitburn's player in-form is professional Ashley Thorpe.

Runs and wickets come regularly for him at present and his match winning 104 at Boldon kept Whitburn in touch with Hetton Lyons. All rounder Paul Cook is not available and junior Peter Marshall is promoted.

Unchanged Eppleton need to win to keep in touch with the leaders and Marsden provide an obstacle.

Marsden introduced Northumbria University student Sharom Mubarakai for the first time and regulars Philip Bell and David Wills return.

On recent form Seaham Harbour are in with a good chance of winning at basement club Durham City. They have lost just once in their last four outings and will view the match at the Racecourse as an opportunity to maintain their progress. Although Neil Swainston is not available Adam Young returns.

Durham City make three changes to the team that was beaten at Marsden last week. Paul Lowe, Ben Hanson and James Booth are replaced by Matt Houghton, Paul Price and Steve Wilkinson.

South Shields name the same unchanged side for two games over the weekend. After entertaining Boldon today they make the short trip to Marsden tomorrow to play their rearranged fixture.

Professional Lindsay Cullen will appreciate the recent spell of dry weather to harden the wickets. The Australian will be looking to register his first league century after having come close on several occasions to date.

Boldon are still finding it difficult to win, having drawn nine matches so far. They have pace bowler Gareth Smith returning along with brothers Alan and Chris Lamb. Oliver Douthwaite and Byron Longstaff drop into the seconds and Chris Miller is not available.

Horden find themselves lower in the table than they have been used to for several summers and are without a win since mid May.

Felling are the visitors and with Keith Cheetham not available Horden's task is likely to be more difficult. Felling include veteran Tom Brown in place of the unavailable Micky Nolan.