Norton, who upset the form book in a big way when they defeated Chester-le-Street last weekend, aim to produce another winning performance today against third-top Gateshead Fell and move off the bottom of the table in the process.

It was a struggle for the former NYSD league side during the first half of the season but their confidence has been lifted by last week's result although they have suffered a double blow as both James Brinkley and Stephen Purcifer are unavailable.

Durham County's Brinkley was their star at Ropery Lane when he hit an unbeaten century and his batting and bowling will be sorely missed. Chairman Keith Symington is drafted in and will partner his son Craig.

Gateshead's Fell's chances of winning the championship received a severe blow when they lost to Benwell Hill in their last outing and today they show just one change with Mark Brown taking over from Phil Hudson.

Stockton, second from the basement, line up at home to Sunderland and with University student Ben Lee having returned to his home town, Grant Worrall fills in.

Sunderland still miss talented young batsman Lee Rushworth and field an unchanged side seeking their fifth win of the summer.

Chester-le-Street will be out to quickly recover form after losing to Norton and at Blaydon expect to have a full squad available, providing Ashley Thorpe is released by Durham County.

Blaydon have been unable to reproduce the consistent form which earned them third position in each of the first two seasons of the competition and their objective is to move into the top half.

Their chances of beating the Cestrians are enhanced with the return of wicket-keeper David Sherrington, who has renewed his successful partnership with pace bowler Andrew Robson. The pair played together at Horden.

David Bailey, who made his debut last week, drops into Blaydon's second XI.

Philadelphia have confounded the critics who forecast they would be relegation fodder in their first season. They go into today's match at Tynemouth with a double in mind, having beaten the Seasiders on the opening day of the season.

The Bunker Hill outfit are currently fourth from top with just a solitary defeat in nine outings. The only other side to have suffered a single defeat are Benwell Hill.

Australian Gavin Swan made his best return to date last Saturday when he claimed five wickets to take his total to 24. He is included in a near full strength line-up, the only absentee is all-rounder Ross McLaren who has played an integral part in the side's success.

A big blow to Tynemouth is the absence of opening batsman Wayne Falla, who is recovering from a broken finger. Also out today are strike bowler Robbie Herdman and Karl Spratt, who are replaced by Stephen Mordue and Ian Stewart. A fine unbeaten innings which earned him 108 runs last weekend has given Stewart his opportunity in the first team.

South Northumberland, who also suffered an unexpected reverse last weekend at the hands of Tynemouth, are still second although they have a lot of ground to make up on Benwell Hill.

They meet Durham Academy at the Racecourse ground and captain Adam Heather reports that his only absentee is Ian Gilthorpe. Tom Seymour and Howard Sidney-Wilmot resume as South North play three games in three days.

Tomorrow, they visit Lintz in the Just Sport Trophy and on Monday are at Guisborough for the regional final of the ECB Knockout Trophy.

Newcastle face a daunting task against Benwell Hill, who have run into excellent form. They have won three more matches than any other side and look strong.