The remarkable turnaround at Shotley Bridge may have come too late for them to mount a serious title challenge, but they have their sights set on second spot as they seek to extend their five-game winning run when they entertain Leadgate today.

The Bridge, amongst most pre-season predictions to give champions Swalwell a run for their money, looked to be making mugs of the tipsters when their opening sequence of six games produced just a solitary win and three defeats.

But from a Bridge over troubled waters it has been back to normal service in recent weeks, their form lifting them from tenth at the end of May to fourth before today's match - and with the enthusiasm that winning cricket matches brings they are able to once again name an unchanged side.

Leadgate finished bottom last year but were handed a close-season reprieve from relegation, and have made the most of their good fortune with four wins in the first half of the season, double what they achieved in the whole of 2012.

They also have three returning to action with Dan Gowland, Steve Smith and David Walker all back in harness.

Shotley are eight points behind the current occupants of second spot, Annfield Plain, who face a tricky encounter at Lanchester today. Their hosts hand a debut to Kevin Dixon with his transfer formalities now completed. Dixon was captain of Kimblesworth in the DCL but suddenly left to join his old friend Stuart McPhail, Lanchester's skipper. Plain make two changes with Micky Allen and Davy Maughan returning.

Burnopfield separate Plain in second and Shotley in fourth, and after coming out on top in a thrilling high scoring game with Leadgate last week they stick with the same team for the visit of Ponteland who include two new signings, Ed and Tom Common, who have returned to the club from Newcastle. They slot into the places vacated by the unavailable Tom Seymour and Jonny Appleby.

Life doesn't get any easier for Lintz. They start the second half of the season like they started the first - facing the might of Swalwell. Lintz have home advantage this time, but that might not be a great help for a team who have lost all their games against unbeaten opposition. The leaders don't need strengthening, but they are still boosted following the return of Lee Whitfield.

Jo Harms is back for Ryton's relegation battle with Consett, while Micky Phillips and Paddy Rathbone replace Blyth Duncan and Phil Cramman in the Percy Main line-up to play Tynedale.