Following several signs of vulnerability from reigning NEPL champions South North last weekend their challengers for honours have been handed a real boost.

The eight-wicket beating at the hands of South Shields was the Bulls first league defeat since April 2014, and it came in the midst of a hectic weekend which saw them hammered in a group T20 match by Tynemouth and turn out a weakened team in the Banks Salver while losing by an eye-watering 279 runs to rivals Benwell Hill.

Yet in the midst of all that carnage they travelled to York and, against the strongest opponents they faced over the weekend, defeated the Yorkshire Premier League champions in the regional semi-final of the National Club Championship, a competition they covet.

But with the Bulls now hauled back after opening up an early lead in the defence of their title, just 28 points cover the top nine clubs in the championship stakes. South North should regain some of their league impetus when they host bottom club Gateshead Fell, although Tynemouth, who head up the log jam, also look well placed to strengthen their position as they have a home game against a weakened Hetton Lyons.

Skipper Ben Debnam is away so Andrew Smith takes over, with Marcus Turner drafted in, while Lyons have to reckon without Faiz Fazal, now with the Indian squad, and Brydon Carse. The evergreen Shaun Birbeck could be pressed into action.

Both Eppleton and Stockton are at the lower end of that group of nine, so victory in their Church Road encounter is vital for both if they are to have a say in the longer term. The home team have Gary Burlinson and Craig Scurr back for this one, while the Teessiders hope to be able to include Jamie Harrison.

The top three in the Durham Cricket League all face testing away days. Leaders Burnopfield go to Castle Eden, where the home team are in a decent run of form despite their close defeat at the hands of second-placed Easington last time out, while Easington are at Bunker Hill and Seaham Park visit Crook.

Burnopfield have Jimmy Radcliffe back from paternity leave while Castle bring in Richard McGlasham for the unavailable Ryan Ball, Easington are able to include David Tarn against Philadelphia who have Paul Hollinshead and Gary Braithwaite returning, and Seaham Park look to extend their three-game winning streak with an unchanged team, although Tom Ferguson will play as a batsman only after injuring his shoulder.

There’s no doubting the match of the day in the NTSL with the top two meeting head-on at the Spa.

Champions Shotley Bridge, unbeaten in second, face 100 per centers Ashington. Other than Barry McCarthy, who will be on Durham duty, Bridge will be at full strength, while the Colliers have Ben O’Brien back from holiday to put them in a similar position.