The championship race reaches a critical phase in the next couple of weeks, even though there is only just over a third of the season gone.

Unless the leading two teams are stopped they will have created such a gap by the end of June there will be no way back for any of the other hopefuls.

At the summit Burnmoor look almost untouchable - as well as now being 21 points ahead of Whitburn they are a staggering 79 in front of third-placed Philadelphia.

Horden provide Burnmoor's opposition this week and as they have only lost one league game to date and have home advantage, they will be quietly hoping to spring a surprise and give hope to everyone else.

The home team are without Paul Franks and Kevin Spanton, with Graham Smith and Dale Laverick their replacements.

Burnmoor miss Mark Blunt and Michael Callaghan through holidays and Alex Ludlow and Owen Lancaster bridge the gap for them.

Whitburn have some selection dilemmas for their difficult game at South Hetton, with their attack severely weakened by the loss of opening bowlers Neil Johnson and Tony Greaves, Paul Cook also being unavailable. John Dunn and Ian Elliott come in, as does former first-team regular Gary Ventress, who, while not playing now, returns on this occasion to help the club out.

South Hetton have improved tremendously in recent weeks and although Graham Walton is unavailable, they are happy to place their faith in their juniors, with Calum Pringle coming in.

Fourth-placed Marsden entertain third-placed Philadelphia and have an unchanged side. The visitors did beat Marsden comprehensively in a recent cup tie, when Gerry De Bruin turned in his best bowling performance for them, so they will be confident going into this clash.

While Philly have delayed selection, they know that skipper Gary Hoban and promising young all-rounder Tom Raine are unavailable, so Phil Empson will take over captaining the side for the day.

Seaham Harbour travel to Boldon in much better spirits following their battling draw against Hetton Lyons last week, and they will be looking for more of the same against a team who, while in the top half of the table, were shaken by a heavy defeat at Eppleton last week.

Stephen Sennett sails into the Harbour team to replace Adam Young, who has moved into the seconds to captain them.

Hetton Lyons have a full team for their home fixture with Felling and will be desperate to start getting some wins under their belt after an indifferent start to their return to the DSL.

Eppleton are much happier after their first win of the season and they have Mathew Jane back in the side for their trip to Durham.

City, while still without a league victory, feel their next three games are all winnable and have set what they feel is an achievable target of a mid-table placing by the end of the season.

For Durham, Craig Waite and Matt Houghton come into the side, with Mike Elliott missing because of work.