Dukes ECB North East Premier League leaders Hetton Lyons host fourth-placed and unbeaten Whitburn.

Skipper Jarvis Clay said: “The team is likely to be unchanged after its good start to the season, with just one blemish. Whitburn have also had a good start, so the Lyons must be on their guard and seek to reproduce the form shown so far in the first four fixtures.”

Whitburn have two players returning, Ross Carty is back to keep wicket along with Paul Shields, the skipper, replacing Craig Henderson and Ben Markham.

Chester-le-Street are at neighbours Sacriston and will hopefully have Stephen Cantwell returning from his University commitments.

Skipper John Coxon said: “We are excited to be visiting Sacriston for the first time in the Premier League and will be hoping to continue our good form. They have made a good start, so we certainly won’t be underestimating the challenge.”

Coxon added: “Everyone has made some good contributions so far this season, but I will be looking for the lads to build on their starts – match winning performances are the targets now.”

Eppleton entertain the Durham Cricket Academy and director of cricket, John Smithson said: “It is another tough game, though the Academy are in very similar circumstances to ourselves and it’s only a matter of time before they click and get back on track. Luke Henderson is in good form, after returning from Leeds University exams week.’’

Stockton face Benwell Hill at the Grangefield Ground. The Teessiders have won two, lost two of their opening fixtures, while the Hill won one, drawn one and lost two of their games so far.

In Division One, Burnmoor are at Gateshead Fell and home skipper Thomas Pinkney makes two changes.

He said: “Richie Smith and David Daley both return and this should give the side more balance and means the batting is stronger. We need to show the same application as shown at Blaydon the last time out, when the crease was occupied, a solid total produced which allowed the bowlers to do their work.”

Castle Eden travel to bottom club Blaydon and skipper Jonathan Brown said: “Ryan Ball and Liam Brown are missing due to work, Connor Crute and Jeremy Warner replace them. The side showed a return to form last week with a good win against Brandon, so hopefully this can continue.”

Willington in fourth place, travel to Brandon who are third and skipper James Stock said: “It’s been a good start to the season to date, but Brandon will be the toughest test so far as they too are in form and at home, nevertheless, the side are confident and know if all do their jobs, they are in with a good chance.’’

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League Division One leaders Shotley Bridge are at home to Tynedale, with four wins on the trot following a great start to the season.

Skipper Paul Greenwell said: “It hardly goes without saying that confidence is high and more of the same will maintain the momentum”

Tynedale skipper Tom Cant, who has an unchanged side, said: “We need to be on our mettle for the visit to Shotley Bridge – a look at the league standings shows why!”

Lanchester travel to Alnmouth & Lesbury and the home side make one change. Skipper Tom Vickers brings in Leon Midgley to make his debut for the first team, at 16 years old.

Vickers said: “He is in good form as an all-rounder and managed figures of 3-0 with the ball and a ton with the bat in the third team. He deserves his chance. The season has not gone to plan as yet, but the side has never been without a chance of winning games. Inconsistency has been the problem .”

Readers Durham Cricket League leaders Crook host Marsden and secretary Alan Stewart said: “We’ll definitely have George Westlake and Jamie Mills missing this weekend, due to them sitting University exams. Alan O’Prey and Josh Holmes return.

“It’ll be a tough game, Crook and Marsden were promoted together last year and we’ve both had good starts. Marsden are fortunate to have Chris Mann, who is the best batsman in the league. We need to get in early and we want to build on the start we’ve had.”

Easington entertain Mainsforth and visiting chairman Tony Johns said: “There will be three changes after Curtis Bihari, Nathan Wall and Ryan Dawson were all injured last week, replaced by Brady Smith, Glenn Donaldson and Chris Reynard. We are also struggling for bowlers this year.”

Tudhoe welcome Seaham Park and chairman Stephen Thexton said: “We always have a really hard game with Seaham Park, so we expect a good competitive match. Our batsmen have come into form, and under the leadership of our captain, Joe Dodd, the young players are flourishing.”

Seaham Park vice-captain Michael McNicholas said: “Last week six first team players were missing and will hopefully return. John Sample, Neil Young, Shoaib Akhtar and David Gilbert will all be back in the squad.

“Hopefully our professional will arrive and we have also signed Virat Singh, a 20-year-old batsman/spinner who captained India Under-19s last year. We’re very excited to see him play and hope this weekend to get our season up and running.”

Durham City are at Whiteleas & Harton and the home side have made a torrid start to the season and sit bottom of the table, following a draw and two defeats. However, skipper Andy Potts is remaining upbeat. He said: “It’s been a tough start, but we’re now in a position where we can have a run of games with a settled side. If we apply ourselves right, we can turn the corner.”

Potts makes four changes with batsmen Nathan Ullah and Grant Parkin returning, as well as bowler Chris Nichol. All-rounder Hafiz Aleem makes his first start of the season.

In Division Two, Evenwood are at home to Boldon CA and Secretary Luke Bannister said: “Thomas Teesdale junior will be back. Andrew Wells and Danny Wilkinson will both be missing. We’ve had a bit of chew at the start of this year, with so many players away. Boldon are top, but they’re an unknown force, so we’re wary - cautious, but confident.”

Peterlee are at home to Ryhope and Chairman Michael Garraghan said: “We should be at full strength, but Andrew Laidler is a doubt. We batted well last week, but we came up just short of the target and the younger players in the team did well. We are up against David Craig our former player and we know how good he is, so hopefully we can get him early on”