Durham Cricket Academy face Hetton Lyons and the Lyons fixture secretary Gary Adey said: “We have gone a few games without a win, so hopefully we can get back to winning ways. Durham Cricket Academy are a decent team who had a good win at the weekend, so we know it will be a tough game. Ben Whitehead who used to play for the Academy returns, which will be a boost to the team as he has now recovered from his back injury.”

Chester-le-Street travel to Tynemouth, with Liam Simpson and Andrew Ball back to strengthen their team. Skipper John Coxon said: “We had a poor game last weekend and will be hoping to bounce back. It’s a really important game for us and ideally we need to get a win from the game.”

Stockton host Eppleton at the Grangefield Ground and secretary John Smithson said: “Hopefully we can continue to move forward and push up the league, as we are getting some decent performances and good results and we want to continue that for as long as possible. We will be without wicketkeeper Tyler Easton though, as he is out with a fractured collarbone.”

Benwell Hill, in second place, entertain leaders South Northumberland at Denton Bank.

Fixture secretary Fenwick Marley said: “It’s probably the hardest game of the season for us so far, but we are in good form and this is a game we look forward to.

“The season has gone well for us so far, as we are sitting pretty in the league, but we will be without Kyle Coetzer, as he is captaining Scotland for the next ten days.”

In the Go North-East Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League, Consett welcome Ryton and Chairman Alan Waters said: “We were disappointed to lose against Lintz last week. Ryton at home this week is another game, and we’ll be looking to win.

“Since our impressive win against Shotley Bridge we have not won a game, that was definitely the high point of our season so far and we haven’t capitalised on that.

“There are about four teams on the same points and we’re one of them. We need to pull away, but whether the game will go ahead will depend on the rain.”

Daniel Pyke from the second team is in for injured Mark Dixon. John Chapman will be back after missing last week, and Stephen Turnbull returns to the seconds.

Lanchester entertain Tynedale and fixture secretary Bob Gardiner said: “We are at home and Mark Small will come back in, so we’ll be at full strength.

“They were beaten by Newcastle City last week, which was a surprise. Tynedale are a few points below us, so if we beat them, we go above them. There’s not much going on at the moment, but we’ll be aiming for top four by the end of the season.”

Shotley Bridge are at unchanged Swalwell, whose fixture secretary Paul Dumighan said: “It was a tough game against Ashington last week, but we came out winners. This match will be just as tough, they have got a really strong side with good bowlers and batters, but we’re looking forward to it. As I mentioned last week the next three games will define our season. So we’ve won the first of three, and will now look to take maximum points, in the next two.”

Leadgate travel to Ashington and will almost be at full strength, Gary Dixon will come in to replace Daniel Gowland.

In the Readers Durham Cricket League, Littletown entertain Horden and skipper Greg Arundel said: “Our injury problems have lessened a little bit, and we’re happy with our student Archit Goenka who is averaging over 50 at the moment, which is excellent for us, but unfortunately he is unavailable. We have also brought in an overseas player, a South African called Justin Stevens, who’s a batting all-rounder.”

“Horden are a good team, so it will be a tough task. They’ve had a different start to us, as we’ve currently got the bottom spot. Our performance doesn’t reflect that, but we’re hopeful of turning a corner soon and get a couple of wins to move us up the league.”

Horden skipper Carl Watson said: “They were promoted last season, but have been struggling. I don’t think they’ve been able to get a professional, but they have some good players, so we’re not expecting an easy game. Lee Jackson returns, but we have Liam Irving missing.”

Seaham Park in second place in the table, entertain Tudhoe in fourth. Fixture secretary David Moorhead commented: “We are at full strength and disappointed to lose against Durham City last week, but it was a cracking match. We are looking to bounce straight back, but with the knowledge that Tudhoe are a good side, but we are up for the fight that’s for sure.”

Castle Eden are at home to leaders Easington and Secretary Leo Taylor said: “We are at home and unchanged and they are top of the league and we’re mid-league, so it’s going to be a hard game. It all depends on the weather if the game will go ahead.”

Esh Winning welcome Philadelphia and skipper Stuart Hall said: “We have one change to the side this week, with Jonathon Hodgson in for Daniel Wilkinson and we are hoping to bounce back with a win, after a disappointing result at Bill Quay last week.