Richmondshire regained top spot in the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, following their five-wicket win at Marske last weekend. Today they travel to Great Ayton and make a few enforced changes to the team.

Vice-captain Robert Carr said: “We are missing Stu Mather and Matty Cowling, so have recalled Tom Dowson after his excellent century for the second team last week, and Darren Van Der Vyver also comes in.

“Craig Marshall is in for the first time this season, after a bad knee injury and he replaces James Kelly. It’s a big game as always against Great Ayton, but we will be hoping to stay on top.”

Great Ayton have found some form of late and have pushed themselves out of the two relegation slots. They make one change as Jon Grainge is missing, so Henry Shelton replaces him.”

Darlington will be looking to collect precious safety points from their home game with Barnard Castle. At present they have a 17-point buffer above the relegation trapdoor and club official Garry Moody said: “We stick to the same side as last week, and we are expecting a difficult game against last year’s champions.”

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Burnmoor are 19 points behind leaders South North, and they entertain Felling.

Burmoor were last weekend crowned NEPL 1st XI T20 Champions and skipper Alec Linsley said: “We have the same team as last week however, there’s a question mark over Durham’s Ryan Pringle with the T20 campaign starting and McKenzie Wright is on standby.

“Felling are a gritty side and will be a tough test, but we did beat them at their place and will be looking to record another win at home and keep the pressure on the teams above us.”

Felling’s Harry Munton is unavailable, so Ben Forster returns.

Whitburn welcome Chester-le-Street and skipper Paul Shields said: “We have one change from last weekend’s team. Craig Henderson is unavailable, but is replaced by Jack Burnham.”

“We had a washout at South Northumberland last weekend. We look forward to challenge and look to avenge our defeat from earlier in the season when we were very disappointing.

“The games against Chester le Street at home have been excellent games over the last few seasons so we are hoping for the same.”

Sacriston are at Newcastle and fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We are without Jonny Bushnell (hamstring), Matthew Potts (Durham duty) and Callum Appleby. Daniel Anderson returns and Will Gidman is available.”

“We are hoping to secure a victory and put a little bit of distance between ourselves and Newcastle at the foot if the league. Our record at Jesmond isn't great and so we will need to perform at our best.”

Hetton Lyons are at Tynemouth and skipper Jonathan Malkin is without Jarvis Clay and Ben McKinney.

Eppleton travel to Benwell Hill following a terrific 108 run home win over Newcastle last Saturday. Another win from the Church Road outfit should see them jump up from their current fifth place.

Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League leaders Lanchester travel to Consett and skipper Kieron Taylor said: “Jonathan Hames in for Lewis Donnelly. Despite the weather last week, we managed to edge further ahead at the top. We'll be looking to take as many points as we can against a decent Consett side.”

Consett skipper Stuart Graham said: “We have Andrew Forster, Gary Hunter and wicketkeeper Ryan O’Neill returning. It will be a very tough proposition, but we will give it our best efforts.”

Division two leaders Leadgate welcome fourth-placed Ponteland, and visiting skipper David Anderson said: “We are without John Gardner, who is replaced by Dan Wright, and we plan to thoroughly spoil their procession towards the league title!”

The match of the day in the Readers Durham Cricket League is at leaders and unbeaten Easington, as they entertain in-form and third-placed Philadelphia. Visiting chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “We will again be unchanged with early-season signing Raja again ruled out with an injury. He looked good the twice he has batted, but he needs time to fully recover.”

“Perhaps he came back too early, so we need to make sure he is 100 per cent ready for a second comeback.”

It was a good weekend for the Bunker Hill men, completing the double over Durham City who they comprehensively defeated in the 15/15 competition before securing a vital, nail-biting victory last Saturday.

Pratt added: “To knock off nearly 200 runs in less than 28 overs was a tremendous achievement. Nimesh was unbeaten with more than 60 and Mattie Noble made an important contribution.”

Tudhoe host Littletown and the visitors have Bryan Conlin back after resting his shoulder, and it is likely he will only bat for the remainder of the season, and not bowl. Conlin’s return sees chairman Ed Finn drop back in to the second team.