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Norton, the North Yorkshire and South Durham League champions, visit Northallerton this weekend looking for their first win of the season after four games.

Their NYSD campaign has been overshadowed by speculation about their possible involvement in a North East Premier League next year.

Four clubs from the NYSD - Norton, Stockton, Darlington and Bishop Auckland - have been invited to join the new league together with four from both the Durham Senior League and Northumberland County League.

Yet it is by no means certain that any of the NYSD quartet will accept the invitation before tomorrow's deadline.

Meanwhile, Norton will be keen to rediscover their form. Australian professional Chris Mason, who has not returned after two successful seasons, has been replaced by English-born Ben Usher.

COUNTY cricket, in the form of the PPP Healthcare Championship, has been pushed into a siding today by the opening match of the World Cup between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's.

The loss of players to the tournament has hit Lancashire hardest in numbers, but the situation should be ideal for Yorkshire, minus only Darren Gough, to finish May near the top as the bookmakers' favourites.

Yorkshire face Middlesex (17th last year) at Headingley today, Essex (18th) at Chelmsford next Wednesday, followed by Durham (14th) and Derbyshire (10th). Absences probably affect Worcestershire most in terms of vital players, missing Graeme Hick and Tom Moody.