NORTON are enjoying the delights of playing their cricket in the top half of the league after suffering the traumas of flirting with the wooden spoon in 2007.

Their progress is no better personified than in the form of young batting star Jonny Rickard.

Skipper Peter Armstrong said: "Jonny had a very promising season last year where he made 500 plus league runs aged only 17 and impressed for the county age group team.

"He completed two very fine knocks over last weekend making 103 not out against Gateshead Fell and 120 not out in the game against Benwell Hill.

Hopefully he can continue in a similar vein this weekend."

Norton go to Blaydon today strengthened by the return of Durham's Garry Park. Dave Kennedy also returns and the pair replace Matthew Thomas and Chris Fawcett.

Chester-le-Street took full advantage of Newcastle's current frailties last Monday to pick up a maximum points haul that has moved them nicely into third - just 11 points behind the leaders.

John Coxon's injury niggle came through a taxing weekend successfully and he will form a key part of a full strength line-up for their match at Stockton.

The Teessiders' South African pro Brendon Adams hit his straps with a vengeance last time out as he smashed a superb 151 not out off the much vaunted Tynemouth attack, so this fixture has the look of a potential banana skin unless the Cestrians hit top form. Stockton are missing Wilf Reeve and Dean Williams but Kevin Ashton, Kevin Ward and Guy Darwin are all back for the Grangefield outfit.

Following a run of decent results Sunderland are now looking upwards, but this weekend they face a stern test of their new confidence when they take on a vibrant South Shields outfit still on cloud nine after becoming the first side to topple the champions.

In what is undoubtedly the game of the day Shields carry home advantage and skipper Anthony Marshall said: "We were delighted to inflict defeat on South North, which has helped us close the gap on them at the top of the table.

"The team are bowling well as a unit with Johnny Wightman in particular bowling consistently well. He has picked up some notable top order scalps this season.

"Overseas pro Geoff Cullen has hit top form with the bat and he played a sparkling innings to help us knock off South North's total."

But they will come up against Sunderland who have also had their spirits lifted following the arrival of Mohammad Akram.

The former Pakistani Test player has added some much-needed fire to their attack and with the batting also starting to perform, particularly through Ashley Thorpe, the visitors will not be found wanting.

After the frustration against Stockton last Monday Tynemouth will be itching to get back on track and what better surroundings to re-ignite their title challenge than the Riverside where they take on the Academy.

With Aussie Grant Lindsay in superb all-round form, Tynemouth are a match for anyone.

But they have been hit by an injury blow with Iain Purdy suffering a dislocated finger in the last match, and this may sideline him for up to six weeks. John Callaghan is also missing but Matthew Brown and Andy Lineham return to the side.

It's bottom versus top as South North travel to Jesmond to take on a Newcastle team anchored to the foot of the table after Gateshead Fell's surprise win over the Academy. Newcastle have suffered six straight defeats.

Fell go to Denton Bank to play Benwell Hill in a crunch match.

The teams are locked together on 44 points - just above the relegation trapdoor.