Three in the frame for the top honours

THREE teams will start as favourites to become the last NCL Premier Division champions.

Last year’s runners-up Ashington Rugby, who agonisingly lost out to Tillside by a point, will surely again be among the front-runners.

The last two relegated clubs, Backworth and last season’s A2 bottom club Whickham, will also be contenders.

The trio all start the summer tomorrow with away fixtures.

Ashington Rugby begin at Chopwell as they face GEMs.

Chris Harwood remains as captain but they have lost Michael Adamson to NTSL A2 side Morpeth.

Tom More from Bomarsund is the only new face.

Fellow title contenders Backworth, who finished fourth last year, travel to Blagdon Park.

Backworth have Mick Nicholson back after 12 years, returning from Kirkley.

Opening batsman Paul Walker also returns with fast bowler Chris Miller joining from Leicestershire side Lutterworth.

Blagdon Park skipper David Gibson selects from the same players as last year.

Whickham, relegated from the NTSL A2 Division, will be fighting to bounce back at the first attempt.

Their first match takes them to Blyth, who flirted with relegation all last summer.

Opener Michael Armstrong will again lead from the front while Blyth have brought in two all-rounders.

Will Asher has joined from relegated Kirkley with Andy Ebdale moving from Washington.

Last year’s Cricketer of the Year winner Mark Lawrence remains as captain.

Warkworth, who finished third on their return to Premier League last year, host Blue Flames.

Last season’s surprise team stays intact, as do its visitors.

The two newly-promoted teams both start with away matches.

Last summer’s Division One champions Stobswood make the trip to Berwick, who are without the services of pace bowler Sean Wales after he joined their rivals Tillside for their debut season in the NTSL.

Corbridge are at home to runnersup Cramlington.

Bryan Walker will again lead Cramlington while Corbridge look to better their eighth-place finish last year under Andrew Dover.