The weekend fixture list has produced top-of-the-table battles that bear real significance. The double programme will take the clubs beyond the quarter way point in the season and the results and subsequent league placings will present a reasonable guide to how the season may develop.

In looking for the top games then they don't come any bigger than Whitburn versus Burnmoor today - not only the match of the weekend, but certainly one of the matches of the season, even at this early stage. The two have swept all before them to date but something will have to give.

Burnmoor's Alex Lindsley is on holiday with his place being taken by Alex Ludlow, whilst for Whitburn, Neil Johnson is unavailable for this game with 16 year old Michael Turns deputising. The pair also have tough games on Monday, Burnmoor play fourth placed Philadelphia and Whitburn visit third placed Boldon in an intriguing mix of matches for all the leading clubs.

Despite standing third Boldon are already 46 points off second spot, so they will see this weekend as the opportunity to reclaim some of this lost ground. Having said that, a trip to play a Hetton Lyons team still smarting from their heavy defeat last week will not be easy.

Philadelphia are just behind Boldon and are home to Felling prior to their trip to Burnmoor on Monday. Philly retain the same team keeping faith with the impressive 17-year-old left armer Adam McGuire. For the second game wicketkeeper Phil Empson is unavailable with teenager Ross Galley deputising.

Marsden play two sides below them in the league, Eppleton and bottom club Seaham Harbour, and so will sense an opportunity to improve on their fifth position, while Hetton Lyons are home to Boldon, followed by a trip to Durham City. Lyons have virtually a full strength team with Steve Errington available.

In the lower reaches of the table Durham City have disappointed to date despite some decent performances in cup games. The fixture list sends them to Horden on Saturday before their home match with Lyons on Monday. City are just one point better off than bottom club Seaham Harbour who have, what look on paper at least, slightly the easier matches, firstly going away to South Hetton and then entertaining Marsden.

However, they are mssing three key players with David Thompson on holiday, Simon Brown ill and David Leslie out with a broken finger. Adam Young, Ryan James and Michael Riche deputise.

Horden have Adrian Hedley back from injury as firstly they take on City and then Eppleton whilst Felling and South Hetton clash on Monday both hoping the weekend will provide an opportunity to move up the table.