Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

Newly promoted Saltburn had a fantastic win last week against Barnard Castle, and they travel to Thornaby. Skipper Ben Ainsley said: “We are looking forward to try and emulate a strong opening day performance, against a good Thornaby side.”

Thornaby skipper Marc Bould said: “After a disappointing loss to Great Ayton (Duckworth Lewis Method) last week, we are looking to bounce back against Saltburn. The only change being Liam Bould coming in for Tom Bell.”

Middlesbrough entertain local rivals Marton and make one change, according to skipper Matthew Bell: “We welcome back Alfie Taylor-Clarke into the first team after playing for Durham through the week. Other than that, we remain the same and looking forward to the game.”

Marton skipper Alex Wardell said: “We will be unchanged from last week, where our young lads did the job last week with the bat, and we will be looking for another good performance against Middlesbrough.”

Normanby Hall travel to Barnard Castle and skipper Jordan Leech said: “After a tough start at home to Richmondshire last week, it doesn’t get much easier by travelling to Barney.”

Leech added: “We will be going with the same team as last week, to give the lads who got us promoted a chance to play Premier League Cricket. We are still without home grown Yorkshire player Dom Leech, who is in the Yorkshire first team squad for the two day friendly v Lancashire this weekend, but we hope to have him in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Barney skipper James Quinn said: “We will be looking to bounce back after defeat to Saltburn on the opening day of the league. We remain unchanged, the lads know we did not perform to our potential last week and were rightly punished by deserved winners Saltburn. With a shortened season there is not much room for poor performances, so we’ll be determined to get that first win under our belts.”

Hartlepool travel to champions Richmondshire and make two changes. Secretary Mike Gough said: “We bring in young medium pace bowler Matty Bowman to make his debut after signing him from Stockton and also bring in left arm young spinner Brad Frank.”

Gough added: “We were disappointed with our batting in the defeat to Middlesbrough, but the lads have worked hard in the nets, so hopefully we will give a better display this week.”

Dalesman Gary Pratt led the team that won at Normanby Hall last week and said: “We made a winning start and hope to maintain that form throughout the season and retain the title again.”

Stokesley entertain Marske and skipper Jonny Weighell said: “We are unchanged and looking to bounce back from a slow start to the season, with a heavy defeat at Marton. It is a team of youngsters willing to learn and improve game on their game. Looking for a stronger batting performance to back up our good bowling and fielding efforts.”

Billingham Synthonia welcome Great Ayton and club official Danny Phillips said: “We make three changes for the visit of Great Ayton, with Dan Keegan and Raj Atwaal coming in for their debuts and Mike Yuill returns after missing the win at Marske.

“Mike has unfortunately stepped down as captain, with Tom Wing agreeing to take over for the rest of the season, with Tom saying it is a great honour. We will be looking to keep the club moving forward and I have been very pleased with the hard work and commitment that the lads have shown so far.

“We are very optimistic about claiming back to back victories, in our first home game this season.”

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington take on Richmondshire’s second string at Feethams and make one change, bringing in batsman Adam Baldwin at the expense of Grant Sowerby, who strengthens the second team bowling attack.

Banks Salver – East Group

Burnmoor welcome Castle Eden and captain Alec Linsley said: “We are looking forward to our first competitive game as NEPL champions. We are giving debuts to Alex Simpson, Ross Greenwell, and James Weighell; however, Kev Ward is unavailable. The evergreen Alan Worthy continues at the top of the order and we also have ex Durham players Ryan Pringle and Graeme Bridge in the side.”

Hetton Lyons travel to Eppleton and fixture secretary Gary Adey said: “We go into the game/season minus only one player. Opening bowler Gareth Wade has extended his stay in New Zealand following lockdown. Our 2018 overseas player, Chris Ralston, is now a UK resident and returns to the club for the 2020 season.

“Stuart Walker takes over as captain with Jonathan Malkin returning to his home club Castle Eden. Fifteen-year-old Ben McKinney is a big prospect and comes off the back of a match-winning 69 not out for Durham Academy. Everyone is keen to get started and no doubt our opposition feel the same way, it should be a good game.”

Philadelphia line up against their old foes Sunderland at Ashbrooke and the reunion is eagerly awaited in the Phili camp, no more so than by chairman Malcolm Pratt, who remembers those halcyon days. “We had some great games at Ashbrooke when both teams had household names in their line-ups, and it was one of the best grounds in the North-East, so everybody wanted to play there.

“We make a number of changes to last season’s team and youth is given its chance. Brett Walton, 15, a fast left-arm pace bowler, is handed his debut while 16-year-old Luke Robinson is also included. Two new signings are Dan Pearson from Littletown and Anth Watson, who was with Seaham Park last year. Pearson is a number three batsman while Watson will open the attack.

“Two notable absentees are Paul Hollinshead who is nursing a calf injury, and Dan Foggin. He is unavailable, but could return in the near future.”

Banks Salver – West Group

Crook entertain Washington and captain Andrew Pratt said: “We will have a similar team from last season as the couple of signings we’d made, are unable to get here due to the current situation. We are just looking forward to getting back on the pitch and enjoying playing some cricket.

“The season will be different giving the current situation, but we’re playing for a trophy, albeit in a different format that we currently hold, so we will be looking to do all we can to defend it. Throughout the season we will look to develop some juniors with one eye on 2021.”

Willington host Burnopfield and manager Karl Brown said: “Reece Carr has taken over as captain this season. Our two new signings are Lewis O’Donnell from Harrogate and James Das from Bishop Auckland. We have a fairly young team who go into the new format of the game this season full of energy.”

Chester-le-Street entertain Sacriston at Ropery Lane and skipper John Coxon said: “We are looking forward to our opening game and the lads are excited about the start if the season. We will be missing George and Jack Harrison, and Jack Campbell is unlikely to play this week. Other than that, we should be full strength.”

Sacriston’s fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We have a few changes for this season. We welcome youngsters Ross Whitfield and Edward Foreman from Greenside and Tynedale, respectively.

“We also welcome back Martin Hubber with him having spent last season with reigning NEPL champions Burnmoor.”

Durham and North East Cricket League

Frank Lees Cup – Group A

Dawdon Welfare travel to Bill Quay and home captain Chris Little said: “One change for us this week with James Hudson returning. We will be hoping to bat a lot better than we did against Hylton last week, where we were bowled out softly for 73. The bowlers did brilliantly to almost defend that total, but we left them too much to do; and the batsmen will have to be better this week.”

Frank Lees Cup – Group B

Hunwick travel to Durham City and captain Arron Proud said: “As I predicted last week being a close game, I think it will be the same again. If we take some key wickets at the right times, I can see us getting a good result.”

Esh Winning entertain Brandon and skipper Paul Chivers said: “No changes in the team from last week’s good performance and win against Ushaw Moor. It’s a hard game this Saturday against a good Brandon side, but we hope to carry on from last week’s result.”

Evenwood travel to Littletown and secretary Luke Bannister said; “Captain Billy Teesdale is back, but Regan Goundry is injured. Littletown are very strong in comparison to us, but we are hopeful for a result, but we will have to be all on top of our game.”

Tudhoe welcome Mainsforth and captain Daniel Thexton said: “We have no changes to the side from last Saturday and we are positive going into the game, after coming off the back of a good win away at Peterlee.”

Mainsforth captain Brady Smith said: “We have a full team again with all-rounder Ryan Dawson returning for Danny Hopper, after scrapping home last week by one wicket, we feel full of confidence.”

In the other two group games, Easington travel to Ushaw Moor and Peterlee host Murton.