Foster's ECB North-East Premier League: Who can stop South Northumberland? That's the question on everyone's lips, ahead of the new season.

Last year they became the first side during the league's five-year history to win back to back titles, although it was a close call and they only had a handful of points to spare over Sunderland.

They have made one significant change to their line-up.

Opposing batsmen will not have to face the pace of West Indian Reon King, who last season claimed 56 wickets at an economical 14 runs apiece.

Cory Collimore, who toured England with the West Indies last summer, is taking over and another valuable addition is the highly-rated Stephen Humble.

Last season, he racked up 738 runs and was a regular wicket-taker for Swalwell. Previously, he played for Blaydon in the Premier League.

Martin Speight has joined Annfield Plain in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League and Neil Corby will therefore keep wicket.

"It is never easy defending the championship since every team is out to beat you and tries to give just that little bit extra but we are again up for the challenge and have a well-balanced side," claimed captain John Graham.

Chester-le-Street have made a number of changes as they attempt to end in pole position after failing in the latter weeks last season.

Wayne Ritzema from Newcastle takes over behind the wicket from the retiring David Wilson and other newcomers include Glen Read (Philadelphia), Liam Simpson (Durham Academy) and Alex Brown, who formerly played with Newcastle.

The ex-Durham County player Ian Hunter, who took 59 wickets last year, has joined Derbyshire, but leg-spinner Craig Andrews has returned from Australia.

Sunderland, who failed by only five points to lift the title, have signed early-order batsman Fred Napier from Philadelphia and they are expected to be front runners.

Blaydon have mainly relied on home-grown talent during their five years in the League and the policy has certainly held them in good stead.

Their one newcomer is another local lad, Stephen Smith from Lintz and Neil McGarrell who scored 531 runs during 2004 and took several wickets with his spin, is over from the West Indies for his third spell.

Norton finished second from bottom last time and they are practically unchanged going into the new season.

Craig Symington has taken over from his brother Marc as captain and Stephen Riddell may not be available on a regular basis. So far, the club has not engaged an overseas player.

Neighbours Stockton rely very much on the squad which took them to a respectable sixth last year. Alan Walker again leads the side while Andy Bowman, who last played during the 2003 season, has thrown in his lot with Bishop Auckland.

Philadelphia experienced their worst season for 42 years when they finished bottom of the table and they have recruited several players to improve fortunes.

The most notable is the former Durham County player Stuart Walker who has been appointed captain.

He played for Gateshead Fell last season scoring over 600 runs and in a restricted number of overs, picked up wickets with his left-arm spin. Walker is expected to do a lot more bowling this summer.

South African Brett Pelser is the Bunker Hill clubs overseas player.

He has just completed a successful season chalking up in excess of 800 runs at an average of 67 playing Premier grade cricket in Pretoria.

David Lowther (Eppleton) and Horden's Carl Watson complete a quartet of young signings and experience will be provided by Jeff Laws.

He will keep wicket and no doubt add stability to the batting after previously starring with Horden and Seaham Harbour.

Phili's Durham County player is Mark Turner, a pace bowler and attacking batsman.

Tynemouth have also boosted their squad after struggling near the bottom until the final weeks of last season.

Australian paceman Nick Quinn, who opens the bowling for Melbourne, off-spinner James Wookey, previously with Nottinghamshire's youth side and Richard Heasley, another quick bowler who has played for the Irish University XI, are all newcomers.

The Seasiders will have to get along in the early weeks of the season without talented youngsters Iain Purdy and Ben Debnam who are at university.

Pakistani Shahid Nazir returns to Benwell Hill for a fifth season. He was third top of the averages last season taking 51 wickets at the economical cost of 13.4 runs apiece.

Paul Cummins, previously with Durham Academy, is their only newcomer as skipper Phil Nicholson attempts to wrestle the title from his near neighbours.

Former Durham County spinner Nicky Phillips will be having his second season with Gateshead Fell, who have also retained another ex-Riverside player in Ian Pattison.

Phil Taylor is back following a spell with Shotley Bridge and Anthony Trotter and David Orridge have joined from neighbours Bill Quay but Stuart Walker has moved on to Philadelphia.