WELBURN BLOW FOR STRUGGLING MURTON
Murton are 11 points from safety at the bottom of the league, and desperate for win as they travel to Hunwick on Saturday.
Chairman Ian Graham said: “We have three players missing for this weekend’s game.
“Gavin Milne and Keith Chapman are unavailable due to work commitments and unfortunately Alan Welburn is out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken thumb in last weekend’s game against Ushaw Moor.”
Hunwick Chairman John Pratt said: “We are going through a bad run at the moment, but hope to win on Saturday.”
Silksworth are just above Murton and have a home game against Langley Park.
Captain Andy Barrass said: “We are still without Gary McAvoy on Saturday, but hopefully he will be available for our game on Monday.
“Colin Stevens and Mark Barrass are once more available for selection for Saturday, along with Greg Davison and Phil Middlemiss for Monday.
“Hopefully we can build on last weekend’s important win.”
Mainsforth are all but relegated and they host Seaham Park.
Visiting vice-captain Michael McNicholas said: “CaptainMarkRaceisonholiday and our overseas professional Virat Singh has been called back to India early, by his state side. He will leave a massive hole, both on and off the pitch.
“In his time at the club, he has scored nearly 1,400 runs with an average of 78. We’ve got plenty of batters who can stand in, but it’ll be a tough task for them.”
Two strugglers meet up as Durham City welcome Bill Quay.
Bill Quay secretary Chris Little said: “We have one change this weekend, as Liam Brophy is unavailable.
“James Hudson steps up to the first team after scoring a lot of runs for our second team, most notably hitting a century last weekend away to Seaham Park.
“We aim to build on our win at Marsden last week and hopefully pull ourselves out of the relegation zone.”
Whiteleas host Esh Winning and have found form just at the right time, as they look to continue their move up the table, having won their last three games. With four games remaining, captain Andrew Potts is urging his side to maintain momentum and not become complacent.
The hosts will be without overseas star Bilawal Iqbal for the remainder of the season, having returned to Pakistan to take up his domestic season.
Potts said: “Bilawal has been absolutely outstanding for us and of course, he’ll be a huge miss. However, everyone is contributing which is why we’ve had some brilliant results of late.
“We can’t take things lightly and another win or two, will put us in a great position. We will be without Ray McRae, but Ryan Hale returns.”
Esh Winning Secretary Brian Gott said: “Connor Surtees is back from injury, after missing out for two months. He replaces Jonathan Hodgson, who will be away.
“It’s another double weekend and unfortunately, we often struggle with these. We had a good win on Saturday and hope to keep it going for the rest of the season, but we have two tough games this weekend.”
Tudhoe should be safe, if they beat second bottom Horden at home. They have a 47-point cushion over their opponents, but the visitors need points to survive and will be fighting all the way.
Easington lead the way at the top and hold a 20-point advantage as they welcome Marsden.
Secretary Peter Booth said: “We have the same team that beat Horden at their ground last weekend.
“We will be aiming for another win, to allow us to extend our lead at the top.”
Crook, in second place, entertain Philadelphia and Secretary Alan Stewart said: “Everyone is available for the weekend and are likely to be unchanged for the game.”
Philadelphia have captain Shaun Smith, their leading run-maker, returning after having work commitments last week.
Early order batsman Thomas Raine is also available and will come into contention for the game.
Division Two leaders Ushaw Moor will be promoted if they win at Ryhope - all bar the shouting - and the visitors will make one change with Liam Kirk returning to the team.
Littletown, in second place, hold a 14-point advantage over Evenwood and they are at home to Boldon CA.
Head of Cricket Development Gregg Arundel said: “We are only missing Phil Bennett this weekend and are otherwise at full strength. We are in a good position to finish the season strongly, following our win over Evenwood last weekend.
“We will be looking for another positive result this weekend against Boldon CA, who have had a great season.”
Evenwood, in third, are still not out of it and they travel to Hylton. Rhys Peairs missesthisweekendthrough illness and Daniel Wilkinson has to work, but Billy Teesdale returns to the squad.
“We have three games coming up, which we really need to win. It’ll be a hard game against Hylton, but we need to overcome them.
“The championship will go to the wire this season and we will be fighting to the end. Nothing can be taken for granted at this point.”
Dawdon are also in the thick of it, as they journey to Peterlee. Secretary Steve Dent said: “We will be unchanged with the same team as last week.”