In the Dukes ECB, North East Premier League, The Durham Academy are in mid-table and they travel to Dean Road to play South Shields, who are bottom.

Academy coach John Windows said: “We will be unchanged from last week and the squad is looking forward to the game.”

Hetton Lyons, are in third position and still unbeaten and they travel to Eppleton in fourth and skipper Paul Walker said: “We are without Robert Talbot who is on holiday. The start of the season has been a good one, with all sections of the team producing good form and with playing in a derby, we are all are looking forward to the battle.”

Champions Chester-le-Street had their first win of the season last week and travel to Felling, who have taken just 11 points from their first three games.

The Cestrians skipper John Coxon commented: “All the players are available and the team should be unchanged, having won for the first time last weekend, so prospects are better and there is a more positive feel about the club.”

Whitburn welcome leaders Benwell Hill to The Village Ground and have two changes to make from last weekend with Andy Turns coming in for Paul Shields and Mark Elliott is back from injury to replace Luke Smith.

Benwell Hill have won their first three, but have skipper Pete Halliday unavailable, however, Luke Mussett hopes to be available after injury.

Halliday said: “The team is entering games with confidence after a solid start to the season, in winning our first three games.

“They expect to give a good account of themselves in every fixture, having the ability and winning attitude at all times and the professional has arrived, which has provided a further boost to morale.”

Stockton entertain Tynemouth at Grangefield after last week’s four-wicket win at the Riverside, against Durham Academy. Tynemouth are ten points ahead of Stockton in mid-table, after their first three games.

In the Readers, Durham Cricket League, Seaham Park are the early pace setters and they entertain Bill Quay and official Michael McNicholas said: “We are pleased with the start we have made, but with the competitive nature of the league we face another tough game against an improved Bill Quay side.”

Whiteleas and Harton in second position, journey to Esh Winning and following their impressive victory last weekend over Castle Eden, Leas are faced with another tough fixture against a strong outfit. Despite two draws in their opening games, the home side have racked up impressive totals and have some dangerous players.

Tudhoe travel to Easington and Chairman Steven Thexton said: “The batting is carrying us at the moment, and although the squad will be at full strength, we hope to have our professional Roshan Jayatissa in the team.”

Horden travel to Durham City and skipper Carl Watson said: “For all they are bottom of the league, it will not be an easy game. They’re a good side and have Jake McCann who’s a good player, among others. Sheb Akhtar returns and we are waiting on Liam Irving, as he may be working.”

In the Go North East, Northumberland & Tyneside Cricket League, early pacesetters Lanchester, welcome champions Ashington to Ashley Park and are unchanged from last week. Fixture secretary Bob Gardiner said: “We’re currently joint top, but Ashington won the league last year, so this will be our hardest test.”

Shotley Bridge who have won their first two games, welcome Leadgate to The Spa Grounds and Paul Greenwell, out last week with a bad back, is in for Ian Archbold. Skipper Stuart Graham said: “It’s a bit of a local derby. They’ve had two defeats and hopefully we can inflict the third.”

Leadgate fixture secretary Gary Dixon said: “They’re one of the better teams in the league, but we’ll have a full strength team out. Although it doesn’t show by the results, there’s been some positives and we’ll be looking to build on them again against one of the better teams in the league this season, to take that into the rest of the season.”