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Six new teams sign up to bolster Sunderland league
THE NEW season is now under way in the Sunderland and District League – and the numbers have been boosted with the welcome addition of six new teams.
The extra teams have forced a change of structure, with three divisions, each of which contain 10 teams, who will play each other twice.
Division One champions Thompson Insurance A are looking to maintain their strong grip on the top flight and remain the team to beat.
Last season’s runners- up, St Chad’s, will be looking to push the champions all the way.
Newcomers Springwell CC have an experienced squad which has been further boosted by the signing of Colin Hunt, who played for Durham CA A last season.
Newly- promoted sides St Gabriel’s B and St John are hoping to give a good account of themselves.
St Gabriel’s have strengthened their side with the addition of Jake Helm, who has already hit the ground running having been awarded man- of- the- match for winning all three of his singles matches against St Gabriel’s A.
However, he was unable to prevent his team’s 6- 4 defeat.
St John have added to their squad too, with Masoud Shukri and Robert Renton joining Gary Anderson and Tony Watson.
Teenager Renton has been gaining valuable experience over the last couple of seasons in Division Three and is relishing the opportunity to pitch himself against the elite players.
In his first match against newly- promoted Redby CA A, he won two of his three singles with victories over Ken Tweedy and Frank Booth, before narrowly losing out to Malcolm Deneven.
Deneven finished the night undefeated before teaming up with Booth to clinch the doubles set, helping his team gain a fine 8- 2 win.
Sacriston Aces and Mortimer CA, who finished in the bottom two last season, but who retained their Division One status due to the league restructure, have both strengthened their squads.
Waldemar Dzwonkowski has joined the Aces, while Mickey Grimes and Ian Stewart are included in Mortimer’s ranks.
In Division Two, newly- promoted St Gabriel’s D ( formally St John A) are likely to have a strong say to the final league positions.
An already- strong squad has been strengthened further with the signing of experienced player David Snowden.
The second promoted side West CA B, bring with them a very experienced side of Alan Whitwham, Michael Redfearn and Vic Austin, with the additional signing of Thomas Fowle.
Durham CA have arguably the strongest side, but have a relatively small squad and may struggle a little this season for this reason.
Mortimer CA B are a welcome addition to the division, with last season’s Division One players, Ray Purves and Ian Moore, joining Jamie Westwater and Tony Brabbs.
East Boldon Methodists A, who played in Division Three last season, have moved up a flight to test their skills against more established players.
The squad of Neil Wilkinson, Jeff Hope and Dave Butler are hoping to give a good account of themselves.
The remaining teams all competed in Division Two last season and will be hoping to build on this experience.
Division Three sees the most changes with four new sides.
Brandon and Byshottles have registered two sides.
The A team represented by Tony Taylor, John Spencer, John Leeman and promising youngster Simon Knopf.
The B side are made up of Paul Henderson, Rebecca Harrison, Lynn Reilly, Chris Leishman and Troy Maddison.
The two Brandon sides are joined by newly- created Silksworth IM B and East Boldon Methodists B.
The Silksworth side have considerable league experience whereas the East Boldon players are still learning their trade.
Lanchester CC, who finished fourth last season, have created A and B sides.
Sacriston Chargers, under the captaincy of Peter Whitfield, are hoping to make a bigger impact this season and are looking to include Max Duffin, Erin Harrison and Paul Salkeid in more league matches.
Sacriston Desperadoes ( John Reid, Nigel Duffin, Haydn Williamson and Jack Preston) and Sacriston Eagles ( represented by Jack Pugh, Charlie Coates, Luke Dumighan, Oliver King and Oliver Turnbull) are hoping to build on last season’s league experience.