ONLY eight points separate Norton from their visitors Benwell Hill before the start of their Dukes NEPL game this morning.

Both sit in the bottom four, both still seeking their first win. The same Norton side that played well at Tynemouth last week without any real reward gets another chance to impress, while the Hill are as certain as they can be that Pakistani pro Zohaib Khan will be in their team, as will Richard Coughtrie and Peter Jones.

For Stockton, it’s deep breath time as they make the trip to Gosforth to tackle the seemingly invincible South Northumberland, who are, almost inevitably, unchanged. The Teessiders draft in Chris Oliver for the unavailable James Ward.

Chester-le-Street are hopeful that Durham contracted player Luke Evans will be available for their home game with Newcastle, who will be missing Guy Saxton through injury and Ross McLaren through holiday.

Nick Harrison and Paul Lindsay step up.

There’s no doubting the game of the day in the Wellstream NTSL as tabletoppers Shotley Bridge take on champions Swalwell, the latter still smarting from their first league defeat since 2007. And there will be no excuses from either side today as they both go into the match with full-strength teams.

Surprise package Morpeth will be itching to improve on an already impressive start to the season which sees them in third spot, four points behind the Bridge. A home game against bottom club Ryton provides another clear opportunity. Opening bat Darren Leason is missing for Morpeth, but Jack Plamer and Mark Turnbull return.

In the Warmseal Durham Senior League, surprise leaders Philadelphia travel to Durham to test out the home side’s new-found zest.

City, still missing the suspended Steven Brooke, keep faith with youngster Michael Took and also promote John Booth. Steve Errington returns for Phili.

Second-placed Eppleton are unchanged for the visit of champions Burnmoor, who roused from their earlyseason slumber with an impressive win last weekend. They also put out a full-strength line-up.

There is a mouthwatering fixture in the Readers Durham County League at Willington, where titleholders Kimblesworth are the visitors.

The home side, second in the table, are back to full strength with Michael Thorpe and Greg Pringle returning and skipper Chris Moore fit again.

Kimblesworth seek to extend their perfect start with an unchanged team.

Ushaw Moor, in a great seam of form since the arrival of Usman Arshad, look to heap further misery on bottom club Brandon but will have to attempt to do so without Scott Nattrass and Dean Storey.

Top billing in the 3D Durham Coast League goes to Murton, where the defending champions take on the heirs to their crown, Castle Eden.

The home side miss Keith Chapman and Phil Grimwood, while Castle are at full strength with the return of Dean Langridge.

Main interest will centre around the return of tenwicket Calvin Stephenson to his former club.