PHILI EYEING STRONG FINISH TO CAMPAIGN
SMITH AND BRAITHWAITE RETURN TO BOLSTER BUNKER HILL MEN FOR TRIP TO BILL QUAY
Philadelphia are boosted by the return of Shaun Smith and Gary Braithwaite for Saturday’s First Division clash at Bill Quay.
Phili welcome back the pair after they both missed last Sunday’s win against Tudhoe.
Chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “The two players who came in for the pair, opening batsman Thomas Raine and Michael Hall, both did well to give the selectors a headache ahead of the game at Bill Quay.
“The Bunker Hill men will be looking to complete what would be only their first double of the season.
“Hopefully, the splendid all-round performance against Tudhoe will give the lads confidence during the season half of the season.
“Last year, a sluggish first half was followed by some great performances in the second, which saw the team shoot up the table.
“We are hoping for more of the same.”
Bill Quay secretary Chris Little said: “We welcome back four players for our home game against Philadelphia this weekend, all who were missing from last Sunday’s game – Paul Bentham, Kev South, Adam Rayner and Liam Brophy.
“We hope to get back to winning ways after losing to both Crook and Tudhoe last weekend.”
Leaders Easington welcome Seaham Park, and expect to have a full-strength team.
Secretary Peter Booth said: “Our team has not been finalised yet, but we expect it to be the same one that beat Esh Winning last weekend.”
Crook, in second, entertain Horden and secretary Alan Stewart said: “David Embleton is struggling with a knee injury but is hoping to be fit.
“We are waiting to see if the Durham Cricket Academy require William Angus to play for them, as they did last Saturday.
“Horden are struggling this season, but they won on Sunday, so we will treat them with due respect.”
Tudhoe welcome Esh Winning and will be at full strength.
The visitors will be without Connor Surtees, who is still out injured, but Billy Storey moves up from the second team.
Secretary Brian Gott said: “We hope to get back to winning ways after a good, batting performance saw us beat Durham City on Saturday, but, unfortunately, we then lost to the top-ofthe-league team, Easington, on Sunday.
“Hopefully, we’ll bounce back with a win over Tudhoe.”
Whiteleas are 11 points adrift of safety, following their slide into the dreaded relegation zone and they face a tough derby game at home to Marsden.
Two defeats last weekend in the double header did not help obviously, but they need to find some form quickly.
Durham City are only 13 points above that trapdoor and they are at home to bottom club Mainsforth.
City will be looking for the win, but the pressure is undoubtedly on the visitors, as they are 66 points adrift and must win.
In Division Two, Murton entertain secondplaced Evenwood without Josh Greenfield, who is unavailable.
Chairman Ian Graham said: “We are expecting Stuart Harrison and Alan Welburn back into the team this weekend for our game against high-flying Evenwood.”
Ryhope, in fourth, host Hunwick and visiting chairman John Pratt said: “One or two players are on holiday and our captain is working away, so the team will be finalised ahead of the game.
“We’re looking forward to a good game of cricket, the weather forecast is good and hopefully we’ll get some points on the board.”
Bottom club Silksworth could do with a win this weekend as they play host to Boldon CA.
Captain Andy Barrass said: “We are still missing Robbie Jones and Phil Middlemiss, but we hope to welcome back Mark Forster and Gary McAvoy.
“Greg Davison should also be available after playing both games last weekend.”
Peterlee are third from bottom and just 28 points above Silksworth. They have a tough encounter on their hands, as they entertain leaders Ushaw Moor.
The visitors have won their last four league games and hold a 60-point advantage over third-placed Dawdon in the race for promotion.
Hylton welcome Langley Park to Grange Road, with both teams looking for a win to push themselves further up the league and away from danger.
Each side has only drawn one game this season (apart from a weather abandonment), so a positive result is expected in this game.
Littletown, in fifth, but with a game in hand, are again missing Bryan Conlon and Matthew Nixon, when they play host to Dawdon, while Patrick Stephenson will face a late fitness test.
Head of cricket development Gregg Arundel said: “We had a good win against a strong Hylton side last weekend, with a few lads missing.
“This weekend will be a really tough game against an in-form Dawdon side.”
Dawdon secretary Steve Dent said: “We will probably be unchanged, and it will be a tough game against a fellow promotion contender.”