Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Chester-le-Street captain Allan Worthy is hoping for more of the same from talented youngster Daniel Shurben in the match of the day against table-topping Durham Academy at the Racecourse ground.

Shurben, 20, has scored four centuries in his last five visits to the wicket and last weekend chalked up hundreds on three successive days.

"I have played a fair amount of cricket and cannot recall anybody recording centuries three days on the trot. Daniel is in absolutely magnificent form and has already past 500 runs in six league innings. He is well on the way to overtaking the 612 he scored during the 2003 season," enthused Worthy.

The captain is also in good trim and he too reached three figures in the Bank Holiday Monday fixture with Philadelphia.

The Cestrians had to be content with a draw though and are 14 points adrift of Durham Academy so the outcome of today's game is crucial to both sides.

Worthy anticipates having Durham's Graeme Bridge available to bolster his spin attack, while Ian Jones, who missed out on Monday through illness, returns to spearhead a formidable opening bowling line-up with Ian Hunter.

Champions South Northumberland, unbeaten in the league, visit Stockton no doubt opening to quickly recover from losing to Philadelphia in the Banks Salver last Sunday.

A blow to their hopes is the absence of ace spinner Richard Brook, who has claimed a fair number of wickets already this season.

Captain John Graham is still well-served in the spin department, however, since Lee Crozier and Michael Smalley are both available. Neil Corby, the former Seaton Burn player, is Brook's replacement.

Stockton show two changes as they attempt to move up into the top five.

Chris Parr and Simon Davison come in for Peter Howells and Duane Atkinson.

Norton face a difficult task at Blaydon who have jumped into second position on the back of some useful performances in recent games. The Tynesiders anticipate being at full strengh but Norton miss Nicky Beall who is getting married.

Philadelphia, bottom of the table last Saturday morning, are third from the basement after defeating Gateshead Fell and drawing with Chester-le-Street. In between the two games they reached the semi-finals of the Banks Salva.

"I have said all season that if we can field our first choice line-up with can give most sides a good game," claimed captain Lee Beaumont who was formerly with Middlesbrough.

Phili though are weakened today by the unavailability of Simon Hollingsworth and Glenn Read, but Mike Elliot who was impressive batting in the Bank Holiday fixture, is able to play.

There has been some good news this week for the Bunker Hill outfit in that ex-captain Andrew Roseberry, the former Glamorgan and Leicestershire batsman, has made himself available after missing most of last season and all the fixtures so far this time.

Benwell Hill, wisitors to Bunker Hill this morning, are stronger with the return from injury of Simon Birstwistle. John Grey and James Kilpatrick are also named in place of Graham Race, Martin Coy and Jamie Taylor.

Sunderland anticipate Stuart Pattison, who has been troubled with a back injury playing against Tynemouth at Ashbrook. Wayne Falla resumes for the Seasiders after being out for three weeks with an injured hamstring and also named is Ian Stewrt with John Atkinson and Chris Dunlop reverting to the second XI.

The Muchall brothers, Durham Counties Gordon and Paul are included in the Newcastle side as is Kingsley McFarrigle for the home game with Gateshead Fell who prefer Graeme Arkle and Tom Gilbert and Mark Brown.