Chester-le-Street captain Tony Birbeck is enthusiastic about his side's chances of retaining the championship and few will doubt his optimism following the arrival of paceman Ashley Day from Hetton Lyons and Birbeck's brother Shaun from Eppleton during the close season.

Last year, the Cestrians were the strongest all-round side and they have made another encouraging start but so too have today's opponents Gateshead Fell.

It has been a superb transformation for Fell who last season failed to record a victory and finished bottom of the table, 86 points adrift of Tynemouth.

All that has changed with the signing of several players, the most notable being the re-engagement of Australian Marcus North as professional. After two hugely successful seasons he played for Colne last year but is now back with the Fell and has taken over as captain.

"It will be a difficult game since we both have identical playing records although we have gained nine more bonus points than our opponents,''; said Birbeck.

"Ashley Day and Shaun Birbeck give us more options than we had last season but even so, it is going to be tough."

South Northumberland, who built up their squad during the winter, are only a point behind Chester-le-Street ahead of their game at home to Stockton.

The visitors are at the wrong end of the table, only ten points better off than basement side Tynemouth and they show just one change with Ben Lee, who was unavailable last week, resuming in place of Danny Lewis.

Philadelphia have made a reasonable start to life in the top flight and their confidence will be boosted by two cup victories last weekend when Australian professional Gavin Swan was in scintillating form with bat and ball.

After taking seven wickets at South Shields, his whirlwind unbeaten half century won the match against Norton when all seemed lost. Benwell Hill are visitors to Bunker Hill and although Andrew Roseberry returns from injury to captain Phili, he cannot call upon opener Graham Hoban.

Benwell Hill captain Phil Nicholson makes three changes. Barry Evans is injured and both Joe Thompson and Simon Birtwisle are unavailable so James Walder and seasonal debutant Oliver Bellwood come in.

Sunderland visit Newcastle twice over the weekend. Following today's encounter they return to Jesmond tomorrow for an ECB National Knock-out Cup tie. They are contemplating whether to play batsman Chris Robson or spinner Chris Brown while Newcastle skipper Neil Wake has announced an unchanged line-up.

Norton hope to field two Durham contracted players against Durham Academy at the University ground. Because Marc Symington is a former Norton junior, they can also play James Brinkley who agreed to help out when not required by the County.

Chairman Keith Symington and youngster Adam Harker are the players to make way.

Tynemouth are bottom of the table and will find the going tough against Blaydon even though Wayne Falla, who announced he would be unavailable for Premier League games, is to play. He is joined by Anthony Turner and Rob Herdman, the trio replace Stephen Scott, John Callaghan and Chris Ryan.

Chairman Don Norton reports good news on captain Russell Perry, released from hospital earlier in the week, who it is hoped will lead his side today.