Today's programme is akin to a new beginning - some teams in the Premier League have hardly bowled a ball in league action over the last month.

With only a point separating the two leading sides, it makes for an intriguing run in, as clubs start the first of their remaining ten matches this morning.

Sunderland's advantage at the top has been eroded as matches became an exercise in bonus points during all-too-brief visits to the wicket.

New leaders South Northumberland will have had their craving for trophies rekindled by their successful hosting of their game with Lashings, a reward for winning the national club knock-out cup in 2006.

Norton arrive today, themselves boosted by a comprehensive beating of the Durham Academy last time out. The visitors will be without Anthony Fawcett, who was in excellent form in that win, and Daniel Brooks is brought in from the seconds. The key to any Norton success is often the availability of Durham's Garry Park and they expect him to be playing this weekend.

Sunderland should be back to full strength, as Marc Symington, Greg Applegarth and Simon Brown all return for the match at Tynemouth, while they may also include Craig Symington depending upon his availability following his marriage last week.

Their hosts, whose win last Saturday over Stockton saw them leap into third place, only 26 points behind the Wearsiders, are missing Iain Purdy, Ben Debnam stepping up.

Blaydon still lie fourth, despite suffering most from the appalling weather - four weeks have elapsed since Blaydon last played. They have an unchanged side for their home game against Gateshead Fell, who are desperate for points to ease their plight near the foot of the table.

Chester-le-Street go into another big weekend with a full-strength side. They take on South Shields at Ropery Lane today before travelling to Nottinghamshire tomorrow to grapple with Caythorpe in the Cockspur Cup - the winners will be in touching distance of Lord's as they reach the last eight. Shields will be without Jimmy Gaff and Matthew Muchall, with Ray McRae and Alan Stevenson stepping up.

Newcastle travel to bottom club Stockton and while they are boosted by the return of Rob Farenheim and Ross McClaren, they have Richie Evans and Matt Bashford unavailable.

The Grangefield outfit will have to do without their talismanic skipper, Richard Waite, who is on holiday. He has been in inspirational form, and his absence could be a major factor in the outcome, particularly as they are once again unsure whether Mark Davies will be made available. He has been left out of Durham's game at Sussex.

Durham Academy make use of Maiden Castle again as they take on Benwell Hill.

While they suffered a shock reversal at Norton last week they were delighted to welcome Scott Borthwick to the fold after a long term back injury.