Despite losing a couple of promising junior players, South Hetton are clear favourites to clinch the title for the third successive year.

They were pressed all the way by Hylton last time but in the end their vast experience carried them to their sixth title in eight seasons.

Shaun Bradbury has linked up with Geoff Cook's Durham Academy and Graham Race has moved to Chester-le-Street but the nucleus of last season's successful side is still available to skipper Bobby Steel.

Steel has been one of the most successful batsmen in the League during recent seasons. He topped the batting averages last year at 57.8 scoring 751 runs hitting a couple of centuries and five 50s in 17 innings.

Dean Burrows recorded three 100s and two half centuries making 643 runs and with John Pendlington adding 444 runs, the trio often proved insurmountable to opposition bowlers.

He topped the league averages and evidence of South Hetton's all-round ability is demonstrated by the fact that Stephen Massey and John Leslie joined him in the top four by taking 57 wickets between them.

Hylton, who ended 16 points behind South Hetton, are quietly confident of going all the way especially as Alan Mustard has decided to stay and Shaun Smith has joined from Philadelphia. Joe Bittlestone, with 724 runs at an average of 45.3, will again spearhead the batting and the ever-reliable Keith Trotter will be the mainstay of the attack.

After winning the championship in 1998, Murton struggled last season when they finished 10th. They have made a number of astute signings, however, and could again be a force to be reckoned with.

Stuart Wilson, the ex-Horden and Silksworth all-rounder is joined by Dale Butler from Peterlee, Phil Coxall (Hylton) and Joe Dodd from Seaham Harbour. The ever-reliable Keith Chapman will again lead the team but he will be unable to call upon the highly-respected all-rounder Stephen Raine, who has decided to retire.

Ryhope, once one of the most successful sides in the North-East, have been trying in recent seasons to resurrect the glory days and have appointed Alan Dick as professional.

John Anderson and Keith Rewcastle have moved in from Houghton but a blow is the decision of Neil Mulvaney to go to Sedgefield.

Peterlee, second bottom last season, could be heading for better times. They have Keith Hewson back as professional and his brother Neil, an opening bowler and middle-order batsman, has signed together with Nicky Beall, a member of Norton's Premier side last season.

A big disappointment to Easington is the unavailability of Phil Crowther, who is working in Libya. The vastly experienced Brian Fenwick is captain and David Kennedy returns for a second spell as pro.

There is little change at Castle Eden but there is some good news in that Alan Unsworth, who claimed 47 wickets as professional last summer, is staying on as an amateur.

Houghton have snapped up Ian Hauxwell from Kimblesworth and he will both play and be coach.

Boldon CA, bottom in the last two seasons, look as if they will have another difficult time even though they are pleased that Lee Jackson has returned from Felling.

Philip Shakespeare returns as professional at Marsden and they hope their younger players build on the experience gained last season.

Graeme Weeks, the League's leading runmaker last time with 815 at an average of 51, will be the backbone of Silksworth's batting.

The only change at Dawdon is the recruitment from Seaham Harbour of Ian White while neighbours Seaham Park have lost Alan Dick to Ryhope. Like several clubs, they will turn to younger players.

A blow to Bill Quay is the fact that Michael Shiel is working away but Jeff Tudor, a prolific scorer last season, is again captain.