The Bank Holiday weekend double programme throws up some intriguing possibilities, with Lyons fired up to face South Hetton and champions Burnmoor.

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Lyons face a Saturday trip to South Hetton, who are aiming high themselves this season. Young skipper Shaun Bradbury feels the South Hetton batting line-up is as strong as any in the league and this view was strengthened last week as his side piled up 248-2 in just 36 overs against Eppleton.

Whether they will be able to take Lyons' attack on in the same manner remains to be seen. Sixteen-year-old Luke Lang is given his first-team chance after several good performances for the seconds.

One big miss for Lyons this weekend is Paul Riddle. His value is demonstrated by the fact that he has almost kept pace in the run-scoring charts with the prolific Shaun Birbeck, who has still to be dismissed in a league match.

Liam Mallaburn and Gary Adey step into the side as the pride of the Lyons comes under more intense scrutiny on Monday when unchanged Burnmoor are their visitors.

The champions start off with a home game against Eppleton, who have blown hot and cold so far this season.

But the Church Road club have suddenly been rejuvenated after the uncertainty surrounding their overseas player has finally been put to bed – Zimbabwean Elton Chigumbura is at last in town and he goes straight into the side.

Chigumbura is a right-arm medium-paced bowler who can bat, and he certainly brings some experience with him as his record of six Test and 71 one-day international appearances indicates.

A further boost to the side is the return of skipper David Lowther from holiday.

Whitburn occupy second spot, but, with their closest rivals potentially cutting each other's throats over the weekend, there is an opportunity to make up valuable ground in their matches at Marsden and at home to Felling.

However, they do go into the double-header minus key bowler Neil Johnson.

While the return of batsman Mike Smith from holiday will add to the team's run-scoring potential, the attack may not be as potent.

With Ross Galley and Luke Anderson missing, Philadelphia plump for youth as they draft in juniors Matthew Haswell and Jamie Parkinson for their home match with Horden at Bunker Hill on Saturday and Monday afternoon's trip to Seaham Harbour.

Phili's cause will be helped by the news that Horden skipper Adrian Hedley misses the first match of the weekend, as does Kevin Spanton, although they both return on Monday to face Durham City.

Elsewhere over the weekend, Felling enjoy the unusual luxury of being unchanged as they look to compound Seaham Harbour's problems at the bottom before facing up to Whitburn.

Boldon travel to Durham to take on a City side languishing uncomfortably close to the trapdoor, before tackling South Hetton in their second match at Sunderland Road on Monday.