Federation Special Durham Senior League: With the season only eight games old, there is now no unbeaten side in the league.

The defeat of Horden last week removed that record and it is perhaps an indicator that there will be several clubs in contention for the title by the end of the season.

Leading the way at present are Hetton Lyons, who have a six-point advantage over Burnmoor. Both have fixtures they are quite capable of winning this afternoon.

South Hetton visit neighbours Hetton Lyons and have won just once to date. A major threat to them holding the leaders is the form of Gerry Strydom.

The South African is well on course for 1,000 runs, having hit 490 for only four dismissals from eight visits to the wicket.

Burnmoor entertain South Shields and have two key players missing, Michael Callaghan and Gary Brown. Shields have pace bowler Johnny Wightman returning and he replaces Chris Nichol.

The second change sees Bobby Scorer coming in for Greg Marshall.

Horden, who dropped to fifth place after their defeat have a great chance to get back on track when they entertain bottom club Seaham Harbour.

A great confidence boost to Horden will have been their mid-week victory over the Durham Cricket Academy in the Austin Trophy and they are likely to show just one change, with Stephen Brett out.

Harbour welcome back Neville Gustard and Shaun Cartledge drops into the seconds.

Whitburn face Durham City without Gary Ventress but Eden Elstob plays. City have Paul Price and Nick Howe returning.

Tony Meredith is away and Oliver Jones is injured.

Boldon, who could pose a threat to the leading two if they continue their early form, entertain Marsden.

Hard-hitting Byron Longstaff is absent for Boldon, while Marsden's Philip Bell replaces David Chamley.

In-form Eppleton will be attempting to dismiss the opposition for less than 100 for the sixth successive game.

Opponents Felling will have Malcolm Norman and Alan Bullock back in their ranks. David Coulson is not available and Mark Vinton is left out.

* It is all change for leaders Tynedale in the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League.

They suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of South Northumberland in the Independent Scaffolding Cup on Thursday night but are stronger today for the visit of Annfield Plain, with Neil Clark, Craig Barber, Scott Kay and Dorian Hiles all resuming. Richard Taylor, Joe Barber, Matthew Ridley and David Pessara make way.

Plain have Saqib Khan back from university and he takes over from Mark Ede.

Ashington, shadowing Tynedale at the top, line up against second from bottom Lintz with in-form youngster Simon Prudhoe making his return.

Teenager Stuart Tiffin cannot play. Lintz are minus Gary Christie and Michael Edmunds, but Chris Bowes and Andrew Smith can play.