ALL eyes in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League are at the top, as Hetton Lyons in third position, travel to champions South North.

Skipper Jarvis Clay has a full squad to choose from and Cameron Grimwood returns for Victor Spencer .

Clay admitted: “It is sure to be a tough, a challenging match so with both teams in form it should be a cracker and well worth the entry fee.’’

Eppleton travel to bottom club Felling and secretary John Smithson has Craig Scurr back after attending the birth of his first child. Smithson joked: “He hopes to celebrate by bagging both a ton and ten wickets!”

Chester-le-Street welcome struggling Stockton to Ropery Lane, with skipper John Coxon stating: “We were very disappointed with the rain last week, when we would have backed ourselves to win the game at South North. There was some excellent bowling from Alex McGrath, Liam Burgess and Quentin Hughes, who got us into a winning position.”

“We are confident and if we keep doing the basics right, we should be able to put Stockton under pressure.”

The Durham Academy take on Newcastle at Jesmond and Newcastle skipper Phil Hudson said has Ryan Davies in for Cameron Steel.

He said: “We need points on the board fairly quickly, but The Academy are a young, keen and tough unit on their day, so we need to get amongst them early to unsettle them.”

Sacriston travel to Whitburn and have a few changes to make from that win last week, as official Iain Bestford suggested: “Jonny Bushnell is now required for his school fixtures for a couple of weeks. However, James Thompson is back after a family wedding. Callum Appleby may well be out for some time with an Achilles problem, having aggravated it during a T20 fixture last Friday.”

Division One leaders Brandon travel to Sunderland. Ashbrooke skipper Greg Applegarth said: “Inconsistency has let us down throughout the season, but last week the side got themselves into a strong position to win, but couldn’t press home their advantage. More of the same will be very welcome.”

Castle Eden are at Washington and skipper Jonathon Brown said has Jonathon Brow, Keith Daley and Philip Wimpenny missing with Ryan Ball, Liam Brown and Kane Iceton all stepping up.

Washington skipper Ash Thorpe said: “Mark Watson, Joe Thompson and Matthew Corner all return. Both teams are in good form presently with several other sides, so Castle Eden need to be treated with respect as they are in form.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League leaders Shotley Bridge travel to Percy Main.

Shotley remain unbeaten in the league, having won six and drawn one. Percy Main have struggled so far, having won two, lost four and drawn one, from their seven starts.

Lanchester travel to second-top and unbeaten Ashington and have Ciaran Johnson back as Jonathan Green. Mark Small and Marc Ramshaw drop back in to the seconds.

Official John Rourke said: “We have had three defeats, including some against the leading championship contenders. Defeat would probably mean an end to the title challenge.”

In Division Two, Leadgate welcome Greenside. Lewis Fletcher and Jack Murray are missing, replaced by Lee Innes and Chris McNally.

Greenside captain Adam Wilkin is unavailable as is vice captain Andy King and Connor Fellowes, but Darren Stephenson returns.

It’s a double weekend in the Readers Durham Cricket League and leaders Easington welcome Horden today.

Horden secretary Adam Dixon said: “It’s a tough double weekend for us with two away games. We travel to Easington on Saturday and Seaham Park on Sunday. Both will be difficult games, but hopefully we can pick up some points and a couple of decent results.”

Tudhoe welcome Crook today, then tomorrow travel to Easington.

Chairman Stephen Thexton said: “We’re at full strength in both games. It’ll be interesting as there’s only two points separating the three of us at the top. We’re really looking forward to the weekend, especially as we can turn out a strong side.”

Crook secretary Alan Stewart said: “Most players will be available for this double weekend. It’ll be a tough game on Saturday, as they generally are at Tudhoe. Then we travel to Mainsforth, who are down at the bottom and struggling, but we can’t take anything for granted. We hope for two wins, but it’ll be no easy task.”

Durham City welcome Marsden and visiting official Paul Snaith said: “Our major concern is Captain Chris Mann, who has a badly bruised wrist and seam bowler Manav Seth misses out with a broken finger. The experienced Paul Cook takes his place, providing more variety to the bowling attack. Fourteen-year-old Matthew Hughes keeps his place after his first team debut.

Evenwood who are second in Division Two, travel to Littletown in third, with Littletown’s head of cricket development Gregg Arundel saying: “We hope to have a full quota of players for both games and after taking 30 points last weekend. Double weekends always help shape seasons, and we’re in a good position.”

Hunwick travel to Dawdon today and host Evenwood tomorrow with Liam Morris and Christopher Elms returning after holidays.

Peterlee entertain Langley Park today and then welcome Silksworth tomorrow.

Chairman Michael Garraghan said: “We are a number of players short because of holidays, but we will have two competitive teams out to play, hoping to win both.’’