Sacriston travel to Benwell Hill in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League and are without former Durham bowler Melvyn Betts who has a hamstring problem.

Director of Cricket, Iain Bestford said: “The side has started well and is just below mid-table. All the team members need to produce what they were picked for, in order to pull off a win.”

Benwell Hill secretary Keith Shaw said: “It was a good all-round team performance last week against Stockton, with the bat and ball, plus we fielded very well.

“That’s two victories on the trot now, and the team has a nice blend with one or two excellent juniors coming through.”

Chester-le-Street are three points off top, as they host Felling.

Skipper John Coxon said: “We had an excellent performance last weekend and Jake McCann played superbly in difficult conditions when the pressure was on. Stephen Cantwell was then excellent with the new ball, taking four wickets, which made a huge contribution.”

Coxon is unavailable for the game, so the side will be captained by George Harrison. Andrew Bell and Chris Rushworth can’t play, so Jack Harrison and debutant Alex McGrath start. Eppleton travel to third-placed Whitburn have a number of players missing.

Whitburn skipper Paul Shields said: “There will be two changes from last time out, Mark Elliot and Lee Henderson are unavailable, with Ben Markham and Bryden Carse in.

“Eppleton appear to be in the doldrums, but are capable of clicking on the day and creating big problems for their opposition.”

Hetton Lyons travel to Newcastle and home skipper Phil Hudson said: “Batting has been a little inconsistent. The side is probably in a false position at present.”

The Durham Cricket Academy are second bottom and will be looking for a win at the Emirates Riverside, against Stockton who are 19 points above them.

Director of cricket John Windows said: “Strike bowler Ollie Gibson returns from a sore shin. The team may be in a lowly position currently, but there are other aims and objectives for the players. It is very important that they experience wins rather than defeats, but much emphasis is always placed on the skills and intricacies of the game.”

In Division One Castle Eden welcome Gateshead Fell as Ryan Ball and Liam Clark-Brown replace Robbie McGlasham and Lewis Simpson.

Willington in fourth position, following three wins and two defeats, entertain Blaydon. The visitors have lost all four of their games this season and have accrued just 10 points from those four matches.

Leaders Brandon are at Washington. Stephen Cuthbertson, Scott Latimer and Daniel Wolston all return as Colin Myers, Andrew Stephenson and Darren Geeringh drop out and back to the seconds.

In Division One of the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, Shotley Bridge skipper Paul Greenwell names an unchanged team, as the leaders go to Alnmouth & Lesbury.

He said: “We hope to continue in the same vein as the season successfully unfolds. There will be no complacency, as every game needs to be won by skill and effort by all team members.”

Readers Durham Cricket League leaders Crook travel to Durham City with George Westlake, Jamie Mills and Ed Wells back after missing last weekend. Will Barnham and Michael Tinkler drop into the seconds.

Secretary Alan Stewart said: “We will be more or less full strength. Durham City had a bad start to the season, but they have improved in recent weeks. We expect a fairly tough game.”

Easington host Whiteleas & Harton and have a 100 per cent with four games gone. In contrast, Leas sit one place off the bottom spot, having won their first game of the campaign last Saturday.

Skipper Andrew Potts was delighted with his side’s victory and said: “Easington are flying right now and have an excellent overseas player in Duvindu Tillakaratne. We will be unchanged and it’s always a tough place to go, but hopefully our excellent run chase last week will give us a bit belief.”

Tudhoe are at Mainsforth and have one change from last weekend, Matt Travis replacing Max Parry.

Chairman Stephen Thexton said: “Our derby with Mainsforth is always interesting. Our batsmen are playing well at the moment and confident. Mainsforth were relegated at the end of last season, and it’ll be good to see a few old faces.”

Division Two leaders Evenwood travel to Ushaw Moor, who are third. They have Andrew Rowell and Colin Cook both returning from holiday, but Jonathan Gill will be away this weekend. Secretary Luke Bannister said: “This will be a big game, with us both sitting high in the top three of the league, but we hope to come out on top.”

Hunwick chairman John Pratt, is looking forward to welcoming bottom club Hylton, who are winless in their first three games. Pratt said: “We won our first game last week at Littletown, by just one wicket, which we very pleased about. We are enjoying playing at all the new grounds and the lads are beginning to settle into the new league.”

Peterlee welcome Littletown and the visitors have Patrick Stephenson and Philip Bennett returning.

Head of cricket development Gregg Arundel said: “Last weekend was a tight game against Hunwick, which we felt we should have won, but our bowling wasn’t up to standard. We were beaten very narrowly and hope to bounce back against Peterlee, to ensure we stay at the right end of the league.”