STOCKTON make the trip to Jesmond this morning desperate to secure a result that can lift the pressure at the bottom.

Last week’s defeat at Ropery Lane wasn’t a surprise, given the strength of the opposition, but the fact that Tynemouth picked up their first win of the season, at Blaydon, did come as a shock for the Teessiders and left them propping up the rest.

With half the league season gone Stockton are two points behind Tynemouth and 29 behind today’s opponents, Newcastle.

Both clubs started the campaign brightly but have lost form and Stockton have gone eight without a win, including six defeats.

Stockton hope to field a settled team. James Carr is still on the injured list for the Tynesiders, but skipper Guy Saxton makes a welcome return from injury to lead the side.

Leaders Chester-le-Street, comforted by a 43-point lead at the top, travel across the river to take on a Benwell Hill side who occupy the fourth place they finished in last season.

The Cestrians show no signs of faltering in their quest to retain the title won so impressively last year, and it is almost two years since they lost a league match.

Once again the champions are at full strength, save for the injured Luke Evans, who is expected to return towards the end of the month.

Hill have selected Will Smith but Durham have flagged up a potential injury problem with him so he may yet be sidelined. Quickie Craig Smith is at a family wedding.

South North have little option but to try to hang in there in the hope Chester will slip up, and given Sunderland’s current form the Bulls will start as favourites at Ashbrooke today.

The Wearsiders had a good start to the season with three wins but have gone into reverse in recent weeks with three draws followed by three consecutive defeats.

Sunderland’s overseas pro, Rameez Shahzad, will not be back in the country until next week so the home side keep faith with last week’s team.

South North are at full strength.

Blaydon entertain a South Shields team missing last week’s centurion, Phil Bell, but left-arm seamer Chris Nichol returns after a long spell sidelined with a back injury.

Will Gidman’s foot injury means he misses Hetton Lyons’ meeting with high-flying Durham Academy.

Tom Pinkney and Michael Dicks are back in the Gateshead Fell side to play Tynemouth.

Tomorrow, the Banks Salver semi-finals see Newcastle take on the Academy and Sunderland entertain Chester-le-Street.

It’s also the regional final of the ECB National Club Championship, with South North at home to Benwell Hill.