Whitburn pace ace seeks grand finale to season

DUKES NORTH EAST PREMIER LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

WHITBURN have hit a sticky wicket in recent weeks - but Kieran Waterson believes they can rediscover their form and secure a top-four spot, writes TONY HODGSON.

The South Tynesiders had looked genuine contenders for South Northumberland’s crown earlier in the summer.

However, a stuttering run of form culminating in Saturday’s defeat to Hetton Lyons - has seen them slip to fifth in the Premier Division table.

Paceman Waterson accepts the title is now out of his side’s reach but is urging his team-mates to end the campaign in style.

He said: “We have struggled in the last for or five games when we have been unable to put our full-strength team out.

“Players have been missing due to weddings and holidays and it has not been the best of periods for us.

“However, we should have most of our best players back for tomorrow’s trip to Eppleton and hopefully that will give us a lift.

“We have a run of games now which we would expect to win and finishing in the top four has to be our aim.

“After the winter we had, when we lost several key players and had to revamp the squad, a top-four finish would be very satisfying.”

The final five weeks of the summer are also important to Waterson on a personal level.

He added: “I am on 47 wickets for the season, which is very pleasing, but it would be fantastic to reach 60.

“That is my target although I am struggling at the moment with an ankle injury which means I cannot bowl at full pace.”

After tomorrow’s clash at Church Road, Whitburn take on strugglers Stockton, the Durham Cricket Academy and Benwell Hill - all teams below them in the table.

Leaders South North host improving Tynemouth tomorrow.