Following last week’s postponements, Stockton have the toughest start on Saturday when they travel to champions South North.

Last year’s table toppers have a new director of coaching, former Durham player Steve Chapman. His remit extends mainly to junior cricket activities, but he will not be playing. Adam Cragg continues as skipper and they have signed Sean Tindale from Newcastle and Liam Trevaskis from Durham Academy.

Chester-le-Street start their season at home to Durham Academy and the Cestrians have recruited well in gaining the services of batsman/wicketkeeper Jake McCann from Durham City, spinner Liam Burgess from Burnmoor and all-rounder Alex McGrath from Tudhoe.

Cestrians’ skipper John Coxon said: “We have an exciting bunch, with lots of excellent young players, keen to prove how good they are.

“The new lads will give us extra strength and added competition within the squad. Added to that, upcoming youngsters Josh O’Brien and Ollie Barrett both should be pushing for regular first team cricket, so the future looks very bright.

“We are hopeful of improving on last year’s third place finish and as ever, pushing for the league title and cups.”

Eppleton have a tough start, at rivals Hetton Lyons. Secretary John Smithson said: “We have signed Connor Whitlock from Darlington, Daniel Stephenson from Sacriston and Dominic Stuart who is at Durham University, alongside our Durham Academy player, Josh Coughlin.

“We aim to better our position of sixth last season and be harder to beat and certainly more competitive.”

Lyons’ skipper Jarvis Clay is pleased with their signings; South African Chris Ralston, Stuart Walker has returned from Felling, Carl Watson has joined from Horden and Jack Burnham from Durham Academy.

Promoted Sacriston welcome Newcastle and skipper Graeme Wrightson, who takes over from Martin Hubber, said: “We are looking to consolidate after promotion and hopefully challenge for honours in the cups. We will have Will Gidman, when he’s not playing for Kent and have signed James Thompson from Whitburn and Matthew Potts from Durham Academy.”

Newcastle, ably led by skipper Jacques Du Toit, have signed Alex Simpson from Eppleton, wicketkeeper Kieran Trevaskis from Penrith and Dan Humble has returned from two years living in Australia.

In Division One, Burnmoor, who ended third last season, travel to Boldon. Marc Symington has joined from Seaham Harbour and will guarantee runs and they retain the services of Samiullah Khan. Skipper Alec Linsley said: “We want to improve on third position from last year and take a winning mentality into every game.”

Boldon’s Peter Crane wants an improvement on last year: “Our aim is to in the top four and with the signings of Barry McCarthy, Gary Scott from Felling and Laurence Wood from Burnopfield, we have the squad to do just that.”

Brandon are at home to Blaydon and have made a major signing in Karl Turner from Barnard Castle, who will get runs and wickets. Stephen Humble has joined from South North, alongside Darren Gill and Mark Messer.

New boys Castle Eden start at Burnopfield. One of the best professionals from the NYSD League has joined them and Saeed Bin Nasir will guarantee runs. Jeremy Warner and Jim O’Neill are additions from Durham University. Skipper Jonathan Brown said: “We aim for a mid-table finish and perhaps better if all things go well for us.”

Burnopfield skipper Neil Killeen, the former Durham bowler, said: “We want to consolidate and develop our youngsters, who are held in high esteem at the club. On top of that, we have brought in some experienced players in Scott Steel, Adam Khan, Jonathan Pears and Alex Senior.”

Willington begin at relegated South Shields, and after finishing in mid-table last season, they will be hoping to convert eight defeats into more winning positions.