As the Northern Rock North East Premier League enters it's second weekend, all eyes are on South Shields to see if they can maintain their superb start to the season which sees them a point clear of the pack.

They couldn't have a sterner test than a fixture with the powerful Chester-le-Street team, but they have home advantage which could be crucial. Alan Stephenson comes into the Shields line-up while the away side have skipper Quinton Hughes available for his first outing.

Runs should be plentiful at Benwell Hill, where Durham Academy visit. Both sides already have batsmen in form, however Hill are likely to have close to their strongest team in the field with Simon Birtwhistle back and one or other of their Durham players likely to turn out.

Abdur Rehman is temporarily absent due to international duties, his short-term replacement is Salman Qadir (son of Abdul), an off-spinning all-rounder.

Tynemouth turned in a professional performance in disposing of Stockton last week and look to build on this when they welcome Sunderland to Preston Avenue.

They announce an unchanged side whilst the visitors may have Stuart Ferguson available, though Gary Scott is unlikely to play because of injury.

Both Gateshead Fell and Blaydon will view their clash as the opportunity to consign opening-day defeats to the back of their minds. Blaydon are unchanged and Fell bring in Cameron Wake, the Durham University Centre of Excellence player being available for the first time.

Norton are still reeling from the two heavy maulings of their bowling attack last weekend so their home clash with South Northumberland must be worrying them. Garry Park should be available for the home side, if not Mathew Thomas will deputise, while South North bring in Faisal Mohammed and Lee Crozier, with Adam Heather out through injury.

Newcastle play Stockton with both sides looking for their first win. The home side bring in Mark Turnbull while the Teessiders are unchanged.

After two rounds of the Darlington Building Society North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League championship, four sides have 100 per cent records and all will be tested in a Bank Holiday double programme.

Bishop Auckland are joint top without overseas professional Amol Muzumdar, who may arrive in time for this weekend's games. In the first match they face fellow leaders Marton, who lose Dean Kirby to a knee injury.

Northallerton have made their customary good start and will see their home match with Hartlepool as a chance to cement their position at the top. They have Mark Cowell available today, and Phil Crowther on Monday. Pools have made a solid if unspectacular start and with Ian Jackson back and Michael Gough in imperious form, they will provide a stern test.

Game of the day is Great Ayton's clash with Marske. The champions bring in Josh Linton for John Russell, with the visitors unchanged. Middlesbrough travel to Richmondshire intent on building on last week's success and name a full-strength line-up. The home side welcome back Chris Layfield, who replaces Joe Sheehan.

Darlington have had a rocky start and will miss Neil Pratt, who is injured, when they take on the powerful Guisborough outfit at Feethams. Saul Clifford returns for the Priorymen.

Blackhall entertain Saltburn with both sides keen to notch up their first win. Luke Cushlow is available again after injury and will boost the home side, while Saltburn's travails are not helped by the continued wait for their overseas professional. It's too early to talk about relegation battles, but the clash between Redcar and Normanby Hall takes on greater significance after the bad starts both teams have made.

Gordon Kidd, scorer of 152 for the thirds last Sunday, and Andy Hassack come into the Coatham side. Hall still await news of a possible English professional.

In the Foster's Durham Senior League, Whitburn smashed their way to maximum points last week on the back of a magnificent Jimmy Daley innings and Neil Johnson's lethal bowling. They travel to Horden, who are crucially without star man Adrian Hedley, who has a damaged hand.

Burnmoor also enjoyed a heavy points return from their opening match and will be confident of building on this good start when visiting Eppleton. The home side are unchanged but Burnmoor bring in Michael Callaghan for the holidaying Neil Young.

Skipper Barry Norman makes his seasonal debut for Felling, who travel to play a Seaham Harbour team missing Stephen Sennett and Adam Young through injury and work respectively. Simon Weston and Gavin Keen deputise.

Hetton Lyons hit the ground running on their return to the DSL and are happy to put out the same team for their home game with Marsden, who have David Wills available this week.

Durham City play Philadelphia hoping that their heavy opening-day defeat was just a blip, although the fact they miss Chris Hurst will not help their confidence against a Phili team who were encouraged by their opening-day efforts and turn out a settled side.

Boldon are able to bring in Johnny Wightman for his debut, while visitors South Hetton, bring in 15-year-old Luke Lang and Gary Webster for work absentees.

Two weeks into the Readers Durham County League season and five teams retain perfect records.

Esh Winning, Evenwood, Kimblesworth, Tudhoe and Ushaw Moor go into this weekend's double programme with 40 points to their names but something will give with the eye-catching fixture being Ushaw Moor's clash with Kimblesworth on Monday.