Norton, fourth from bottom with only one win in 14 matches, have signed two new players, but neither is included in the side for their game against Chester-le-Street.

Richard Evans, who recently scored an unbeaten 177 for Seaton Carew in the Darlington Building Society NYSD League and Zaf Iqbal, now working in the area, will instead play in the Second Division.

Norton chairman Keith Symington said: "Richard Evans has decided to try and win a place in our first division side while Zaf Iqbal has recently moved here.

"We are sure the two lads will do a good job for us, but first we want to have a look at them in the Second Division."

Mattie Dex and Andy Tait both return to complete a full strength line-up, but Chester-le-Street miss captain Tony Birbeck and the side will be led by the former Sacriston professional Allan Worthy.

David Wilson returns to keep wicket and Cestrians coach Steve Greensword is looking for a better performance than the one his side gave against Tynemouth last weekend.

"We fielded and bowled badly in the morning session, but picked up after lunch.

"It was disappointing to draw again and we really need to put one or two wins together in the final matches if we are to overtake Sunderland," declared Greensword.

Captain Adam Applegarth believes that the fast wickets at Ashbrooke will be a big advantage to his Sunderland team in the final run in. Cameron Cuffy, their 6ft 7ins West Indian pace bowler, failed to take a wicket last Saturday at South Northumberland where Applegarth considers the wicket was slow.

"Obviously Cameron likes to bowl on a quick track and with three of our last six games at Ashbrooke he should pick up quite a few more wickets and keep us in contention for the title," said Applegarth.

Sunderland are again unchanged for the home game with Benwell Hill and so far they have not been troubled by too many players going on holiday.

Benwell Hill are minus Muazam Ali, who has commitments with Durham County, but former Durham City opener Paul Currie and another early order batsman Steve Dunsford are both able to resume.

Geoff Cook has not given up hope of Durham Academy pipping Sunderland for the title and at Blaydon he includes Ian Pattison following his sojourn with England, but Nicky Peng and Gary Pratt cannot come into the reckoning.

Despite losing for only the second time last Saturday, Blaydon are again unchanged. They might have considered including Michael Urwin, but he injured a finger in the recent cup match with Tynemouth which will keep him out this weekend.

Skipper Robert Lake is a welcome addition to the Stockton team which visits Newcastle. Richard Thomas makes way and although Stockton are just third from the basement the form book indicates they are in with a good chance of recording only their third victory.

Newcastle have yet to win and unless their form improves considerably in the final weeks of the season they will end with the wooden spoon.

Their chances of celebrating a first success are not good since both Neil Wake and Michael Wilson are absentees.

Tynemouth were close to winning their first match at Chester-le-Street last week and at home to South Northumberland have Marcus Turner available following his return from a rugby tour.

Russell Perry, who was drafted in to add experience to the team, resumes his normal role as captain of the second team.

South Northumberland keeper Adam Heather reports that both Richard Smalley and Nigel Campbell are sidelined so Gordon Hollins and Stephen Boyd are included while Jonathan Gill keeps his place after being drafted in as a late substitution last weekend.

Although South North have drifted away from the leading pack, Heather is still upbeat about the form shown by his side for most of the season.

Last week he took the fairly unusual step of declaring early, handing Sunderland an additional five overs and although the game ended in a draw, both sides were close to victory. "Sometimes you have to take a chance if you are going to win. It can backfire but I thought the declaration made for an excellent game of cricket," said Heather