Soggy season still feels like a non- starter

CLUBS in the NEPL reach the exact half way stage of the league campaign on Saturday, but for many it feels as if the season has barely begun.

So far, a third of all scheduled fixtures have failed to start and many more have been severely curtailed.

approach the turning point in pole position and still undefeated, though their lead is a wafer- thin one point, with the big guns lined up behind them to take advantage of any slip- ups.

They face at Ashbrooke this weekend with their opponents having lost the services of one of the great North East club cricketers following the announcement by John Tindale of his retirement from the game.

Tindale has enjoyed a superb career in league cricket, most recently with Lyons and Burnmoor in the DSL and highlighted by Durham Minor Counties honours in the late 80s, which followed a three- year spell playing for Derbyshire’s second team.

Lyons skipper Tindale has been suffering from injury problems this year and that is one of the main things that has prompted his decision at 44 years of age

“I’ll miss it undoubtedly, but the struggle against injury and advancing years has finally caught up with me,” he said.

Tindale retires with Lyons in decent shape in mid- table and can reflect on the achievement of his main aim when joining them from a successful Burnmoor team, which was to get them established in their second spell in the NEPL.

Lyons

will now be

skippered by Shaun Birbeck and his first job will be to try and halt the progress of table- topping Sunderland.

The Wearsiders would love to be able to include Chris Rushworth again after his surprise appearance in the mauling of Benwell Hill last weekend, but as ever, will have to wait on that one.

Other than that, they are at full strength as they attempt to keep their noses in front of the chasing pack.

confirmed Gary Scott will play at the former Durham man having proved his fitness.

This puts the Cestrians at full strength, with young Chris Martin retaining his place after pulling them out of the mire last week to inspire a victory when they had looked down and out on 38- 7.

Stockton will be captained by former South African under- 19 skipper Keaton Jennings in the absence of Kevin Ward and they hand opportunities to 15 yearold Matthew Everson and 16 year- old Joe Hewison, with Jamie Harrison not available.

are still waiting for their first victory, but put in a battling backs- to- the- wall effort to earn a valuable draw against South Shields last time out.

They will be hoping the same spirit surfaces for their home game against the Fell show just one change, with Arslan Rahim coming in for James Lloyd. In Saturday’s other games,

entertain a full- strength side, who have the bit between their teeth after an incisive performance last weekend, while are at home to high- flying

take on cal derby at Denton Bank.

and in a lo-