Seaham Park aim to maintain lead in Durham Cricket League
Leaders Seaham Park journey to Bill Quay, looking for their eighth win of the season to maintain their nine-point gap ahead of Tudhoe.
More importantly they have a 38-point advantage in the promotion race over thirdplaced Easington.
Bill Quay, on the other hand, need points to push themselves away from the relegation spots.
They are third bottom, with a 17-point gap over Littletown.
Tudhoe, in second place, welcome Easington, just one place below them in the league.
The home side currently have a 29-point advantage at the moment, with both teams having won six games from 13.
Tudhoe have lost one less though than their rivals, in what should be an exciting game for both teams.
Whiteleas, in fourth, entertain Esh Winning and the home side will be disappointed on the back of a double loss last weekend, which saw them lose ground on the three teams above them.
They picked up just seven points after heavy defeats against Philadelphia and Castle Eden.
Esh, on the other hand, are renowned for their positive approach to winning games, therefore a highly competitive clash is anticipated.
Skipper Owen Peterson welcomes back opening batsman, Ray McRae, who has missed the last three games through injury and holiday.
All-rounder Rob Scorer is also expected to return, having missed last Sunday’s game. Youngster Sid Corner Jnr deservedly retains his place, following some confident displays in the first team.
Castle Eden host bottom club Dawdon and secretary Leo Taylor said: “We are expecting to win. We had a good win last Sunday against Whiteleas, so the team is looking to get another victory.”
Horden are at full strength at home to Durham City, and skipper Carl Watson said: “This week we are hoping for a different result to the last time we played them. We got absolutely murdered.
“We are up to about mid-table now, so the next five or six games will probably determine where we will finish.”
In-form Philadelphia entertain Littletown at Bunker Hill and chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “David Lowther is on honeymoon, but otherwise we are at full strength, with Michael Hall keeping his place.”
League leaders Marsden, travel to third-placed Ushaw Moor and have Ryan Little unavailable, but Pail Snaith returns.
Peterlee have a tough match at second-placed Crook Town, and secretary Ray Simpson said: “It should be a good contest.
“A lot of people say we are only good for the cup and not the league, so we need to prove them wrong!”
Hylton in fourth, will be looking for a win at Boldon CA to keep the pressure on the top two, in their push for a swift return to Division One.
Boldon, meanwhile, will want to get something from the game, to try and catch Murton, who are third bottom.
Murton will be unchanged, when they entertain Evenwood.
Fixture secretary Alan Welburn said: “We beat them the first time we played them, so hopefully we can beat them again.
“We’re into the second half of the season now and we’ll be looking to finish around midtable and keep out of the bottom three or four.”
Bottom club Silksworth, with only one win this season, take the short journey to Ryhope, for their ‘derby match.’ Ryhope have won five of their 12 games, but have lost six, in their inconsistent season so far.