Game of the day takes place at South Shields where the surprise package of the season so far take on a Sunderland side beginning to show signs of being genuine title contenders.

Both teams secured vital wins last weekend as Shields surged into a 20-point lead at the top and Sunderland moved into third.

The leaders have impressed more for the style and manner of their victories rather than the fact they have won all their games, and they have a number of batsmen playing out of their skins who have proved a potent blend of youth and experience.

Sunderland also have several in prime form, with Mark Symington in particularly good nick, and then there is the little matter of Shahid Nazir who brings his international experience to the squad.

There are also crucial games at the other end of the table with two matches involving the three sides who are already worryingly adrift at the foot of the table.

Norton meet Blaydon with both sides fresh from last weeks inactivity. The visitors are a match for anybody on their day and field an unchanged side. Norton will once again be denied the services of Garry Park and have drafted in 15 year old Mathew Thomas for the unavailable Chris Dunwell.

The clash between the two bottom sides obviously takes on extra significance.

Gateshead Fell are confident they can pull away from the danger zone and will see this fixture as the ideal opportunity to begin that process as visitors Stockton are suffering of a torrid time on all fronts at the moment despite the outstanding personal form of skipper Richard Waite.

Fell turn out an unchanged team, but Stockton will not be able to call on Mark Davies. Dorian Hiles is replaced by Richard Thomas.

Chester le Street travel to Gosforth to take on South Northumberland with a full strength side at their disposal for this daunting fixture.

Durham Academy have scored lots of runs so far but struggled to take wickets and they have the rare pleasure of playing Newcastle at the Riverside today, the visitors hoping to be able to call on the services of Durham's Paul Wiseman. At Tynemouth, Benwell Hill are the visitors, both sides eager to get rather slow starts to the season out of their systems.