Haltwhistle face tough title defence

Some excellent performances throughout campaign saw them finish 21 points ahead of runners-up Wylam, and the bunch have stayed together as they look to make it back-to-back titles.

As has been the case in recent years, the championship chase is expected to be a close run affair with Allendale expected to add their hat into the ring as they've strengthened with a couple of eye-catching Kiwis.

Also tipped to challenge are usual suspects Haydon Bridge and Wylam, while Hexham Leazes cannot be ruled out despite losing two key players. After a great season last year, a young Stocksfield II should be there or thereabouts too.

An ever-improving Stamfordham, Newton, Humshaugh and Benwell Hill III have all proved they can pose problems on their day, so there will be no easy games throughout.

After finishing second bottom last year, a strengthened Matfen Hall will be adamant on improving their position with Newcastle III looking to show they're not just there to make up the numbers after winning the Division Two title in 2015.

HALTWHISTLE

2015 position: 1st.

Still the team to beat, defending champions Haltwhistle start the season as favourites for the title.

The acquisition of Joe Barber from neighbours Haydon Bridge propelled them up the rankings last season as he and his captain Dan Parker racked up the runs in a dominant year.

They will be without the services of Mark Rowell through injury this year, but welcome back a key figure in Micky Armstrong who has been missing from action as he's been in America for the past two years.

Parker's father Michael has stepped down to captain the second team, with 16-year-old Matty Charteries coming in the opposite direction as he makes his first team debut after impressing in Division Two last year.

Parker said the goals for the year are to defend the league title, and add the KO Cup to the trophy cabinet after being eliminated by eventual winners Wylam in last season's semi-finals.

First three fixtures: Hexham Leazes (h), Wylam (a), Newcastle III (h).

WYLAM

2015 position:  2nd.

Serious challengers each year, KO Cup winners Wylam again harbour hopes of winning a first league title since 2002.

While most of the team has stayed together, their chances will be significantly boosted by the return of the hard hitting Graeme Raffell after a year out.

In Raffell, they have a batsman who knows how to find the boundary and he should be in the running for best batting averages come September time.

New captain Ben Duncan has said last year's cup run, which saw them beat Haydon Bridge, Haltwhistle and then Hexham Leazes in the final, is a big confidence boost, and they hope to repeat the triumph this year.

Duncan also suggested that Wylam's title chances have been significantly disrupted due to player unavailability at certain points of the season, so expects to be more consistent if they can get strong teams out each week.

First three fixtures: Newton (h), Haltwhistle (h), Allendale (a).

HAYDON BRIDGE

2015 position:  3rd.

Unbeaten in the second half of last year, Haydon Bridge could well have made it four titles in a row had it not been for a dreadful start last year.

Losing their first three games in their title defence, they looked well out of the running but were just pipped into the runners-up spot in the end when their final game fell foul to the weather after going on a nine game winning run.

They ended up finishing third as they possess what is widely thought of as the deadliest bowling attack in the league, illustrated with Tom Waugh and Jamie Taylor topping the top two places in the bowling average charts.

They will be without Taylor for a number of weeks due to his upcoming wedding and stag weekend, but they welcome back Neil Kendrew for a more regular run out.

Captain Graeme Pigg said he believes his side can again challenge for a top four place, and is targeting a good run in the KO Cup.

First three fixtures: Benwell Hill III (a), Humshaugh (h), Newton (a).

STOCKSFIELD II

2015 position:  4th

They may have to contend with a bit of an injury crisis initially, but Stocksfield II are hoping to mount another challenge.

With the first team missing key players which will effect the second string too, and players out of this weekend's opener playing rugby, the team that were in the running for the most part of last year have strength in depth across the club to cope.

A key absentee will be Matt Bewick who will miss the season with a broken leg, but it will provide an opportunity for many of the club's youngsters to continue to develop in senior cricket.

Captain Phill Bewick pinpoints defeats against Newton and Stamfordham as big moments as their title challenge curtailed, but thinks they will again be challenging for honours in 2016.

First three fixtures: Stamfordham (h), Matfen Hall (a), Benwell Hill III (a).

HEXHAM LEAZES

2015 position:  5th

Questions have been asked about how Hexham Leazes, winners of the title in 2012, will cope without the loss of two big players.

Captain Ben Griffiths and Paul Newton have been key to the team's success, which included three successive KO Cups between 2012 and 2014, but they have both moved to their town rivals Tynedale.

But the rest of the gang is staying together and in has come Dan Toward to skipper the team, as they aim to operate business as normal.

Youngster Alex Brown has been promoted from the seconds after impressing last year, and Toward wants to consolidate their league position and again target a run in the KO Cup after losing in last year's final for their first defeat in the competition for four years.

First three fixtures: Haltwhistle (a), Allendale (h), Matfen Hall (h).

STAMFORDHAM

2015 position:  6th.

2016 promises to be a great year for Stamfordham. For after their most successful campaign with a top half finish, they have a brand new pavilion to look forward.

The club has progressed a great deal in a short space of time, and the village hall committee and cricket club has rallied around to get a project for a new clubhouse, with work expected to commence later in the year.

They harbour big hopes on the pitch too as they were transformed from a team flirting with relegation last year into a team able to hold their own with any one in the division.

Captain Graham Adamson said the strong social aspect to the club has helped revive fortunes, and all at the club would be chuffed with matching last season's sixth place.

First three fixtures: Stocksfield II (a), Benwell Hill (h), Humshaugh (a).

NEWTON

2015 position:  7th

Returning to Division One after two years in the lower division, Newton more than held their own for large parts as they claimed seventh spot.

While many were surprised with how well they did last year, it didn't shock Newton captain Jonathan Bennett who said they belonged in the top division.

They have good all-rounders who can make their mark against some of the top teams, and their only real loss is wicket keeper Harry Clarke, who made seven catches and one stumping last season, to Ryton.

Bennett said the main aim was to win as many games in 2016 as possible - yet enjoying their cricket and the social side was just as important!

First three fixtures: Wylam (a), Newcastle III (a), Haydon Bridge (h).

BENWELL HILL III

2015 position:  8th

Results wise, Benwell Hill III have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league for many years.

Depending on player availability through the club, they can either look like title challengers or relegation fodder and there seems to be no in between.

2016 looks to be a similar story as the North East Premier League takes priority, so expect another mid-table finish for the Hill.

First three fixtures: Haydon Bridge (h), Stamfordham (a), Stocksfield II (h).

HUMSHAUGH

2015 position:  9th

For the first time in 20 years, Humshaugh will be without the services of bowler Dickie Purvis who marked his retirement from the game at the end of 2015.

While out with the old (after 50 years in local cricket), the club boast the signing of teenager Nathan Byerley from Tynedale as well as Graham Gradwell from Haydon Bridge.

Andy Crawford is the club's new captain as he takes over the role from Allan Murray, who will continue to play and lead the batting order as in previous years.

Crawford is targeting a solid season where they can pick up as many wins along the way, finishing as high up the table as possible.

First three fixtures: Newcastle III (h), Haydon Bridge (a), Stamfordham (h).

ALLENDALE

2015 position:  10th

All eyes will be on Allendale this year as they are expected to be challenging for top honours after significantly strengthening throughout the winter months.

They went on a seven game winning streak towards the end of last season after a disastrous start, the run coinciding with the signing of local Tim Raglan, who captains the team in 2016.

He is joined this year by New Zealand duo Dylan Griffin and the talented Ross Laidlaw, who impressed during two years at Tynedale in 2011 and 2012, while spinner Liam Pringle joins from Hexham Leazes.

With the pitch looking stunning after a major redevelopment and a number of promising youngsters coming through, 2016 looks to be a big year for Allendale who will be very disappointed if they don't finish in the top three.

First three fixtures: Matfen Hall (h), Hexham Leazes (a), Wylam (h).

MATFEN HALL

2015 position:  11th

After netting with ex-Chennia Super Kings and India U19 player Jaswinder Singh and Consett professional Kamran Mansoor, Matfen Hall go into the new season full of confidence.

And there are big things expected of their new New Zealanders as Liam Bartholomeusz and Callum Curnow, both from Christchurch, have signed up for the season.

Always big players for the team, Matfen possessed the league's best all-rounder in the league last year in the form of Kiwi Hamish Kennett.

And with exciting youngsters Tom Scott and Aaron Tiffin with another year of senior cricket behind them, they will be looking to improve on last season's finish.

First three fixtures: Allendale (a), Stocksfield II (h), Hexham Leazes (a).

NEWCASTLE III

2015 position:  1st (Division Two)

Making the step up as Division Two champions, Newcastle III will be looking to consolidate as a tough season is round the corner.

They will again use their third team to develop their young players, who excelled last year by winning the league and just missing out on the double as they lost to South Northumberland 1864 in the final of the KO Cup.

A couple of new faces have been recruited, while previous captain Nick Humble will help out when short to allow the younger players to flourish.

First three fixtures: Humshaugh (a), Newton (h), Haltwhistle (a).