Stockton with only one win in this campaign in the North-East Premier League, entertain Felling who are currently bottom of the division and have had a difficult start to the season, losing all four of their matches.

Felling official Barry Norman said: “Hopefully we will have our overseas professional available, having applied for his visa last week and arrive raring to go at the weekend. Phil Taylor is away and is replaced by Joe Carroll. The team are not playing to their full potential, as we adjust to the new, higher standard league and we are taking time to kick in.”

Hetton Lyons host champions Chester-le-Street at Lilywhite Terrace. The Lyons are unbeaten so far, with two wins and two draws, while Chester are four points ahead of them, with two wins, one draw and one defeat, in their de-fence of the title.

Chester’s skipper John Coxon said: “We hope to have Adam Hickey back from injury and it was good to see his re-placement last week, 15-year-old Ollie Barrett take two wickets on his debut.

“We need to build some momentum, after two wins on the trot and last week’s win was an excellent all round performance from the team. Hetton Lyons are always competitive and will be tough to beat.”

The Durham Academy take on Whitburn, with both teams at the wrong end of the table. They have both had one win, two defeats and a losing draw each, so far this season and both teams will be looking for a win in this match.

In the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League, Lanchester host Percy Main and fixture secretary Bob Gardi-ner said: “We are unchanged and will take every game as it comes. We’re a young team and are getting used to each other, alongside three new players.”

Percy Main’s fixture secretary Andrew Cherry said: “It was a great performance last week, and the return of Mi-chael Phillips and Philip Cramman showed the underlying importance of their batting. We are expecting a tough game as Lanchester are one of the better sides in the league.”

Consett welcome Shotley Bridge to Hope Street and chairman Alan Waters said: “We have a big game against our closest rivals. We beat them last year down at Shotley and the game at home was rained off.

“It’s always a hard game against them, and the last few years they have always been in at least the top two. We are expecting a tough game, and hoping things go well.

Andrew Foster will be missing as his wife is due to give birth to their second child, so Paul Ringer comes back in in replacement.

Leadgate entertain Ponteland and fixture secretary Gary Dixon said: “I have spoken to the captain and he said that we will be looking to come back from a tough loss and being well-beaten last Saturday. Will have a full team out including new signing Toby Belton, and overseas player Vihang Ahlawat.”

Seaham Park are top of the Readers Durham Cricket League, after winning their first three games and they travel to Philadelphia, with a nine-point lead at the summit.

Michael McNicholas from the club said: “We are unchanged and at full strength for the game, for what will be an-other tough one. Our good start has been on the back of some excellent bowling from all our bowlers, who are gelling well as a unit.”

Philadelphia skipper Shaun Smith said: “We make one change. Mattie Noble is not available because of work so Gary Embleton, a medium pacer has been brought into the side to bolster the attack. Gary bowled well in his only first team outing on the opening day of the season and has looked good in the second team.

“Since then. In three games so far - none of which were won - we had the opposition twice with eight wickets down and once with nine wickets back in the pavilion, so we need to try and finish teams off.”

Whiteleas & Harton, in second place, are enjoying life in Division One and are unbeaten. They welcome Durham City, just two places below them, to Low Lane.

Skipper Owen Peterson said: “We have made a fantastic start to the season and on the opening day we drew and have had two hard earned victories since, which has given us some well-deserved credibility following last season’s promotion.

“I am not surprised by the excellent start our side have made. We’ve got some very good cricketers at the club, who are high on confidence and thoroughly enjoying playing at this level.”