Northern Rock ECB North-East Regional Premier League: It has been a baptism of fire for newly-promoted Hetton Lyons, who will attempt to prevent an early-season double when they meet Durham Academy at the Riverside this morning.

The Lyons roared to the Foster's Durham Senior League championship last season and gained promotion into the higher echelons of North-East cricket but have found the transition difficult.

Following an opening-day defeat at the hands of Durham Academy, they lost to Tynemouth and South Northumberland and to compound their problems, they are having to play all games away from home.

"We had considerable work carried out levelling the outfield at the end of last season and we knew our ground would not be available until the last week in May,'' said fixture secretary Michael Young.

"It has not been ideal and we are all looking forward to playing at home again. We are now playing top sides and it is a different type of game which we need to adapt to, but hopefully the tide will turn when we get back to home soil.''

A blow to the Lyons' chances of averting defeat today is the continued absence of opening pace bowler Tommy Nixon but spinner Ian Male returns. Former Blackhall player Luke Cushlow is also named, with Owen Gwyn moving into the Second XI.

Chester-le-Street are much stronger for the visit of Sunderland to Ropery Lane. The Cestrian batsmen did not equip themselves too well last Saturday but with captain Quentin Hughes and Tim Stonoch back, could pose problems for the Sunderland attack.

Durham County spinner Graeme Bridge is included after recovering from an injured finger which sidelined him last Saturday.

Sunderland captain Alan Mustard also returns following a one-week absence and he will be hoping for a better performance from his batsmen following defeat by Newcastle last Saturday. Spinner Imran Shah resumes.

Early pace-setters Benwell Hill host Stockton with Paul O'Leary taking over from the unavailable Joe Thompson. Stockton also show one alteration with Tom Armstrong coming in for 15-year old Farouk Din, who made his debut last Saturday.

Norton face a difficult game at Gateshead Fell, who have players in form. Ben Duncan and Chris Dunwell line up for Norton but Chris Thomas is absent.

The Fell, following encouraging early-season results, are delighted with South African Martin Bekker, who has scored more than 200 runs in three visits to the wicket. Durham County's Mark Turner has twice passed 60 and another newcomer, Peter Towner, is also among the runs.

Skipper Mark Drake is unable to play so Geoff Stewart will captain Blaydon at home to champions South Northumberland who, after two successive defeats, won last weekend.

"Hopefully this will be the start of a winning sequence. We won the title for three years but you cannot take anything for granted in this league and already we have a bit of leeway to make up," said captain John Graham, who awaits news on the availability of Michael Smalley.

Tynemouth show three changes for the visit from rejuvenated Newcastle. Nick Forster, Jamie Coates and Andrew Smith come in for John Callaghan, Matt Summers and Ben Debnam.

Newcastle only just missed out on relegation last season but have made an impressive start and are second top. Ben Harmison and James Hay return but Mark Turnbull cannot play and James Davidson, a regular in the Premier League with Philadelphia, has to be content with a place in the seconds.