BRING ON THE DERBY CLASH!
LEAGUE LEADERS SEAHAM PARK HOPING TO MAINTAIN TITLE CHALLENGE AGAINST LOCAL RIVALS DAWDON
Division One leaders Seaham Park are relishing their derby clash at Dawdon on Saturday.
Club official David Moorhead said: “This game is our local derby and cup final!
“We will welcome back Michael Walker and Thomas Ferguson and are going into the game with high hopes now that we are back to full strength.
“We have a lot of respect for Dawdon, who need points for survival, and we will certainly not underestimate them. It will be a tough game.
“We’re exactly halfway through the season, and we’re positive for the second half after going back to the top after last week’s game against Whiteleas.”
Title rivals Easington entertain Littletown, who are not having an easy time.
Head of Cricket Greg Arundel said: “Our ongoing issue with overseas players has continued and South African Justin Stevens has, unfortunately, had to go home due to injury.
“We’ve now brought in another player, Siddhesh Kinalekar from Mumbai.
“He comes highly recommended from last year’s overseas player Shashi Kadam, and will make his debut this weekend.
“Hopefully this will be a turning point in our season and better things await.”
Esh Winning, in fifth, host sixth-placed Durham City, with Michael Bussey in for Danny Wilkinson.
Castle Eden are unchanged at home to thirdplaced Tudhoe.
Skipper Jonathan Brown said: “This week we are looking to continue our good form and win as we did against Durham City last week.”
Horden welcome Philadelphia and both teams will be keen for points, to get away from the relegation zone.
Skipper Carl Watson said: “We are expecting a tough game with them being near us points-wise. Our professional has said that their professional is a really good player, so it will be interesting to see him play.
“Going into the second half of the season we’ll be looking to start winning more games. We’re just under mid-table at the moment, however last year we had a similar start and finished second, so are expecting to be up there again at the end of the season.”
Philadelphia have Peter Greenwell and Jack McBeth back. Young Greg Halliday -a promising right arm spinner and batsman, who played the second half of last season in the first team - plays his first game of the season, now that he has completed his cricketing commitments with his school.
Making way for these three are Michael Hall, who wasn’t available, Jamie Parkinson and Mark Emmerson, who drop into the second team, who have won every game played under Kevin Hall, who is leading the side for the first time this season.
Whiteleas, in fourth, entertain Bill Quay and have opener Ray McRae fit to return. Quay have Michael Orridge and Chris Malley available again.
“We need a big performance against them, as they seem to be going well and it will be a tough game,” commented skipper Alan Mustard.
In Division Two, Murton will be unchanged at home to leaders Crook Town.
Chairman Ian Graham said: “We know it’s going to be a difficult game against Crook. We’ve been struggling a bit this season and they’ve been performing well, so we’re just hoping we can get a result.
“Going into the second half of the season, we are hoping to improve a little and get a few good results.”
Marsden, in second place, welcome Peterlee, who have lost captain Paul Griffith, who has gone to work abroad. Shrey Bhatt has been promoted to captain.
Ryhope are unchanged at Boldon CA. Assistant secretary Greg Dixon remarked: “We will go and try to win and the team are on a little bit of a run at the moment, so want to keep that momentum going.”
Bottom club Silksworth host Evenwood, while thirdtop Ushaw Moor are at home to Langley Park, who need points to get away from the relegation area.