Unbeaten NEPL leaders Newcastle travel to Whitburn with a 16-point lead over South North. Skipper Jacques Du Toit is in no doubt what his players need to do every match: “We have to keep focusing on the basics to ensure we perform consistently. Once the basics are established and we are doing them well and consistently, the form and skill will enhance those basics.”

Tynemouth in third, face bottom club Gateshead Fell at home and will be looking to keep the pressure on the leaders, sitting 28 points behind them. However, Fell have David Daley and Michael Elliott back to bolster their team, but Graham Onions will not be available.

Chester-le-Street, 30 points behind, are at home to South Shields and skipper John Coxon said: “We must keep performing to stay in touch, the mood in the squad is very good.”

It’s derby day at Church Road, as Eppleton welcome Hetton Lyons, in a key match at the bottom. The home side will be looking for points to move away from the relegation zone.

In April the Lyons took the honours by 52 runs.

Durham Academy play South North and John Windows the Academy coach said: “We are up for it, we are improving all the time and they are learning each week.”

Stockton entertain Benwell Hill, who have skipper Kyle Coetzer, with 750 runs this season, in great nick. They have taken 19 points from their last two games, with Coetzer scoring 72 not out and 107 respectively.

The DCL focus is at the foot of the table where Bill Quay and Crook Town battle it out to try and avoid the drop, alongside Hylton, who are now 96 points adrift. Quay travel to runaway leaders Burnopfield, but welcome back Michael Orridge and Chris Malley.

Crook also have a difficult fixture, as they travel to in-form Easington, who rose to third in the league, after their two wins last weekend against Hylton and Seaham Park. Easington make one change bringing in Michael Cockburn and will remember they were beaten by Town earlier in the season, having set them 242 to win.

In the NTSL the top four and bottom four play each other. Leaders Ashington entertain fourth-placed Tynedale and Shotley Bridge in third, are at home to Lanchester who are second. At the bottom, Leadgate who are just above bottom club Benwell & Walbottle, welcome them to Garden Place and Newcastle City third from bottom entertain Annfield Plain, who sit just above them.