Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Although Lintz boast a 100 per cent record they will take nothing for granted when they meet second placed Consett in the Division A2 match of the day this afternoon.

"I remember only a couple of seasons ago we were top of the first division at the halfway stage, but ended nowhere in sight of the leaders," said long-serving Lintz secretary Bob Cook.

"We are happy with out position and feel we have a very good chance of making an immediate return to the top flight.

"But we are certainly not counting our chickens."

Right arm spinner Michael Edmunds is absent today but left arm spinner Chris Bowes plays to give Lintz variety in their attack, which also include Michael O'Carroll, a medium pacer who has moved into the area from Lancashire.

In Division A1, Swalwell took over at the top last weekend and meet Shotley Bridge at the Spa where they make no fewer than five changes.

Jason Dummighan, Anthony Brown, Mark Rowell, Phil Marley and Stuart Pattison all play to the exclusion of brothers Mark and Roy Gray, Michael Armstrong, Barry Espie and George Neaven.

In contrast the Bridge make just two alterations with David Golightly and Craig Lloyd named in a strong side, which will attempt to progress even further their recent rise up the table.

Ashington are joint second with Leadgate in their game at Burnopfield, where they will not have to face Durham County's Neil Killeen, who made an unbeaten 97 on his debut a fortnight ago.

Stuart Tiffen resumed for the Colliers with youngsters Chris Watson missing out.

Leadgate are at full strength for what prove a tricky match at Ponteland, even though the home side can not call upon Matthew Bell, Chris Walton or Charlie Scott. The trio are replaced by Matt Darwood, Jimmy Ealey and John Gardner.

Annfield Plain show no change at bottom of the table Benwell and Walbottle, who have lost all eight games and have a lot to do if they are to avoid an immediate return to Division A2.

South African Musugata Bosman will not play again for Lanchester and Nick Ridley is called up from the second XI to replace him in the home game with in-form Newcastle City, who have won six on the bounce after losing their first two matches. Geoff Prudhoe is absent from the City line up. Sacriston name their strongest team at home to Tynedale who after suffering two midweek cup defeats will be keen to return to winning ways.