New cricket league gets off the mark with group matches
Mike Thorpe from Peterlee and Alan Smith from Sunderland.”
Boldon CA welcome Seaham Harbour and visiting captain Stewart Pattison said: “We have retained the same squad from the last season and the only real change is Niall Cowell taking over the captaincy from Stewart Pattison.
“For the game on Saturday, we have an excellent mix of experience and youth in the side, with Durham U15s player Regan Pattison making the line-up for the first 11.”
Hylton host Bill Quay at the Billy Hardy Centre, and visiting skipper Chris Little said: “We are without a couple of first team players, Michael Orridge who has been forced to retire through injury, and Phil Taylor who is unavailable, but we are looking forward to the season getting underway.”
SilksworthwelcomeMarsden to Silksworth Lane and captain Andy Barrass said: “We have managed to retain all of last year’s squad, while at the same time strengthening with the return of Adam Fairley and Paul Smailes, plus the arrival of Johnny Hall from Tudhoe.”
He added: “We are looking forward to getting the season started and hopefully we’ll continue with the improvements we’ve made over the last couple of seasons.
"We’ve got some tough fixtures in the opening weeks, but we are confident of giving a good account of ourselves.”
Seaham Park are at home in their first match of the season, as they entertain Dawdon Welfare, at their Stockton Road ground, with both teams looking to get off to a winning start to the season.
In Group B, Durham City entertain Mainsforth at Green Lane and visiting captain Brady Smith said: “We go into the game with a full strength team and have some new arrivals.
"Kevin Dixon and Chris Coatsworth are in the team, and we have vice-captain Tom Orton back. We feel ready to be back and can’t wait to play some cricket.”
Hunwick entertain Brandon and skipper Arron Proud said: “Daniel Keegan has left to join Billingham Synthonia in the NYSD.
"In terms of team news it’s pretty similar to last year. We should have a fairly strong team out, so it should be a competitive game.”
Peterlee entertain Tudhoe and visiting captain Daniel Thexton revealed: “We welcome opening bowler Gavin Paton into the team who signed from Felling. We are happy as a team to get started with the format being win/ lose cricket, which as a team will benefit us massively.”
Ushaw Moor welcome Esh Winning to the Recreation Ground. Esh Winning skipper Paul Chivers said: “This season we have signed Connor Surtees and have also signed Ishan Ul-Haq and Shahid Khan from Newcastle City.
“Chris Hurst is now our first team captain with John Carmedy as vice-captain.
"We have a strong team out for the weekend and are happy to get some cricket started.
"We always push to do well and will be looking to win the mini tournament this weekend.”
In the other two games, Easington travel to Littletown to play at their Cross Street Ground and Evenwood host Murton at the Welfare Ground.
Hartlepool begin their Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League campaign with a home game against Middlesbrough at Park Drive.
They have recruited well with Paul Braithwaite, Neil Whitworth, and Alan Tebbitt coming in from relegated Seaton Carew and Matty Bowman making the switch from
Stockton.
Secretary Mike Gough said: “We are looking for a top four finish and maybe win one of the cups.
"The team has been strengthened and has a nice mixture of local talent, with a blend of youth and experience.”
In Division One, relegated Seaton Carew begin their season with a tough match at Bishop Auckland.
Having lost Paul Braithwaite, Neil Whitworth, and Alan Tebbitt to local rivals Hartlepool, they will be relying on their younger players for most of the season.
The Dukes ECB North East Premier League committee has decided that the Banks
Salver will comprise of group matches of 40 overs a side, beginning on July 25, instead of a ‘half-season’, playing each team once, with the finals in late September.
East Group will consist of teams from Boldon, Burnmoor, Castle Eden, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, Sunderland, and Whitburn, playing seven games each with the finals day likely to be held on the weekend of September 19 and 20.
The West Group will consist of teams from Burnopfield, Durham Cricket Academy, Chester-Le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington, and Willington, playing the same format.