WITH Chester-le-Street and South North continuing to dominate proceedings in the Premier Division, the main focus is on the First Division this weekend as the four leading sides go head to head.

Washington’s comprehensive beating of leaders Brandon last week was accompanied by maximum points victories for Burnmoor and Eppleton, a sequence of results that ended with the leading quartet separated by just 15 points, with daylight now appearing between the top four and the chasing pack.

Form-team Washington are still unbeaten nine games into the season, butcould be tested by a Burnmoor side who are gradually finding their feet in their new surroundings following three successive championship years in lower leagues.

The hosts will have Tom Colledge back from university, although opening bowler Adam Randall is still a couple of weeks away from a return as he battles to overcome a shoulder injury.

The Moor camp have their own injury problems with batsman Neil Young likely to be out for five to six weeks after breaking a finger last week.

With Owen Lancaster also out because of work commitments the visitors hand an opportunity to batsman James Blackburn, but promising youngster McKenzie Wright is becoming an almost permanent fixture and keeps his place.

Eppleton’s splendid form could provide a significant threat to Brandon’s leadership when the two meet at Church Road.

Along with Washington the home club are the other team in the division yet to taste defeat, although they have to reckon without Gary Burlinson so Michael Jefferson is called up as his batting replacement and will also keep wicket. Brandon will be missing Mattie Cowling as he will be working at the ODI at Chester-le-Street.

Boldon and Willington could benefit if the four teams above them drop points, and both appear to have winnable matches against teams below them in the table.

But Boldon will be missing four key players for the trip to bottom club South Hetton, with Joe Coyne at a wedding, Stu Poynter on duty for Ireland, and Tommy Nixon and Geoff Sargon suspended.

In come Gareth Smith and Stephen Lamb, while Gary Hewitt is now recovered from his knee injury and plays. Hetton, 16 points adrift, have to reckon without skipper Tony Murphy, with Nathan Adamson promoted and Andrew Hillas taking on the role of captain.

Willington have home advantage against Sacriston and are able to include Elliott Foster following his return from a university cricket tour to Barbados. The visitors are missing Phil Peel and Jack Keall, with Mark Fort and Lewis Staughair drafted in.

Premier Division leaders Chester-le-Street travel to Jesmond to take on a Newcastle side unbeaten in three, and who will have Callum Harding and Dimi Ratnayake back in the team. The Cestrians, almost inevitably, are unchanged.

South North have a derby with Benwell Hill the visitors to Roseworth Terrace. The Bulls have to cope without top bowler Jonny Wightman who is getting married, but Jimmy Miller is fit to return.

However Hill have more problems to overcome with a number of players unavailable. Both Mark Dale and skipper Phil Nicholson have hamstring injuries, while Sameet Brar is at a wedding - as is Mattie Muchall who is attending the Wightman nuptials.