Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Newcastle City captain Bob Brar is not in the least bit surprised that his side is riding high in the first division.

"I said last year that if we won promotion we would hold our own and if we signed a professional we would challenge for the championship," he said.

"In fact, we brought in five new players including South African Shane Pargetar, who is doing well with both bat and ball.

"Mazood Mirza moved from Kimblesworth and Imran Shah returned from South Northumberland.

"Palav Kumar was at Sunderland University looking for a club as was Amir Sohail, who had moved into the area from Wigan. All five players have done very well taking us to within four points of leaders Lanchester."

In fact, Newcastle would be out in front had they not had ten points deducted by the league for alleged infringements. Today, they go to Annfield Plain strengthened with the inclusion of Bill Ahmed.

Lanchester face a potentially difficult game at Swalwell, particularly if paceman Stephen Humble can turn out for the side.

Lintz name their first-choice line-up at Ryton, who have Keith Morris and Stephen Atkinson taking over from Peter Bates and Jim Scott. It was anticipated that Ashington would be one of the front-runners, but they have dropped into the bottom half and need a win at Sacriston if they are to start and make an impact.

Stuart Tiffen, Mark Hetherington, Neil Straker and Michael Levison take over from father and son Stephen and Greg Williams, Simon Prudhoe and Ross Sample.

For their home game with Backworth, title hopefuls Tynedale include Scott Kay, rated one of the best batsmen in the league, Gary Cant and Mattie Ridley are also named. In Division Two, second top Consett visit third-placed Percy Main with John Lidster and Andrew Waters replacing John Walker and Kevin Hopps.

Blyth go to Ponteland and hand a debut to Andrew Clark, who has just moved into the area.