Pivotal weekend as teams look to edge clear of danger
In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, there are eight games to go and there are some vitally important games this weekend in the relegation scrap.
Whitburn are six points from safety and they travel to Eppleton, who are just above themandoutsideoftherelegation slots.
Skipper Paul Shields said: “We go into our crunch game against Eppleton on Saturday unchanged and hoping to improve upon on our draw last week against Chester-leStreet.”
Sunderland are 25 points from safety in their relegation battle and they take on Tynemouth at Ashbrooke.
Skipper Greg Applegarth said: “We have a full strength squad to choose from, with Durham player George Drissell available this weekend.
"We are definitely looking to continue the good form from last week.”
At the top end of the table, second placed Hetton Lyons travel to Benwell Hill, only 13 points behind leaders South North. Host skipper Peter Halliday said: “We have Kyle CoetzerandPhillipBellavailableagainthisweekend,which is a boost. Rory Hanley is unavailable and we are hoping to bounce back after a poor performance at Sunderland.”
Burnmoor,infourthplace, entertain Felling and official Alec Linsley said: “It was a great win at Newcastle last week, which means we go in to this week’s game full of confidence.
"It’ll be tough as they’re currently just above us in the league. I’m sure Lenny will have his players up for it!!
“This week Josh Coughlin comes back in, but we are waitingtoseeifGrahamClark isavailable,ifheisAlecLinsley will make way.”
Chester-le-Street need some results to pull themselves away from any potential danger near the bottom, but they face a tough game at home to Newcastle.
The visitors have lost some form of late, but they have match winners throughout their team.
Skipper John Coxon said: WewillbewithoutLiamSimp
son and Andrew Smith, but haveJackHarrisonreturning.
"We are looking forward to the game and we will be going for the win to put some space between us and the bottom few teams.”
Intheothergame,reigning champions and current leaders South North, take on midtable Burnopfield at home.
In Division One, Philadelphia are in good form at present, after consecutive wins when they bowled out their opponents for less than 100, they could be strengthened by the return of three players for the visit of Willington to Bunker Hill.
Last week, Durham AcademyyoungstersLukeRobinson and Jack Scott bowled against the South Africans in the Riverside nets ahead of the ODI, but should be available on Saturday.
SteveWright,whotookfive wicketsinhislastouting,isexpectedtocomeintothesquad, but Mattie Noble is a definite absentee through work commitments.
Captain Shaun Hauxwell said: “Following a sticky spell, we have played really well in the last two games and for the first time this season we picked up the maximum 30 points last week, with the win at Seaham Park which followed an equally impressive performance against Lanchester.”
Castle Eden in second place, are 17 points behind leaders Ashington.
TheyfaceGatesheadFellat Parklands, and skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “We have a couple of changes this week with Philip Wimpenny and ConnorCrutecomingbackin.
"Good results last week, so wearehopingtocontinuethat this week.”
Bottom club Washington badly need a win and travel to Sacriston.
Skipper Joe Thompson said: “We welcome Phil Nicholson into the team, after he signed from Benwell Hill.
"We are delighted to have him at the club and hope he canusehisexperience,tohelp get us out the position we find
ourselves in.
"Saturday was another poor showing but we need to move on and concentrate on the next eight games.”
Sacriston fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “we are missing Chris Rushworth (County duties) and Neel Ammanath (returning home after University) and so call upon Mark Fort and Matthew Brown. Mel Betts and Hamish Barrie are both on holiday.
"We need to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Gateshead Fell last weekend.
"We know we're in for a tough battle against a Washington team fighting for points.”
In the other games, Seaham Park face a tough game at league leaders Ashington, while Shotley Bridge who are in good form in third place, travel to Blaydon and Crook welcome Lanchester to Dawson Street.
*Jake Wightman clinched a stunning 1,500m gold medal attheWorldChampionships– withdadGeoffcommentating on his shock victory.
The 28-year-old won Great Britain’s first gold in Eugene, which was announced at Hayward Field by his dad and coach Geoff.
Wightman won in three minutes 29.23 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Spain’s Mohamed Katir.
HebecomesthefirstBriton to win the 1,500m in 39 years, since Steve Cram’s victory in 1983andhopeshemanagedto break his dad’s style.
“Dad can be a bit of a robot on the mic sometimes, some peoplesayrobotsomesayprofessional,” he smiled. “I hope he broke that down. It will be interesting to watch it back. My mum was in tears, at least someone was crying.
“I didn’t hear him, hopefully that’s because he was a bit emotional. One of the first things he said was ‘get ready forCommies(Commonwealth Games) now’.
“I’m 28 now, I don’t know howmanymoreopportunities I will get to do this and I hope there is a lot more to come.”