Applegarth is ready for tough Philadelphia clash
Sunderland host Phi lade phi a in Division One of the Dukes ECB North East League at Ashbrooke this weekend.
Sunderland skipper Greg Apple garth said :“It is the same squad available to choose from, and looking forward to playing at home for first time.
"It is always a tough test playing someone who has come up, as they tend to be used to winning, so we will need to be on top form to put a string of wins together.”
Phill chairman Malcolm Pr att said :“Weareun changed for the visit as we seek to improve on last week's disappointing performance.
"Youngsters Luke Robinson and Brett Walton, who regularly played in last season's curtailed programme, are building up to full fitness, as they recover from injuries which has prevented them from bowling.”
Willington in third place, have a tough game at De ne field, the home of league leaders B lay don, and manager Karl Brown said: “This will not be an easy game and we have brought the experienced Calvin Stephenson into the side, as he could bean asset on their wicket.
"He will replace Joseph Davies this week who will play in the second team and we are confident of getting a result this weekend.”
Castle Eden travel to Gateshead Fell and skipper Jonathan Malkin said :“We have two changes for this week. Jason Moses comes back in and Ryan Ball plays his first game of the season.”
Newcastle have won their first two matches and entertain Shotley Bridge.
Director of cricket Phil Hudson said: “Following on from a hard fought win at Willington, we anticipate one change at the moment - with Francis Collins coming in for Chris McBride who has exams. Ross Sinclair will need to overcome a fitness test with George Darwood on standby.”
Hudson added: “We have won our first two games and our batters have all fired early season, which is pleasing, but we are coming up against a strong Shotley Bridge side, we will need to improve our se am
bowling performance to maintain momentum .”
Lanchester have lost their first two games, and journey to Ashington.
Skipper Greg Patterson said :“We are unchanged again this weekend and looking to bounce back after a good performance,but a narrow defeat last weekend.”
Boldon without a win so far this season, travel to high scoring Crook at their Dawson Street Ground.
In the Premier League, Burnmoor welcome Benwell Hill to the Village Ground and skipper Alec L ins leysaid:“Sa turd ayi sour first home game of the season following two wins out of two in away games at Tynemouth and Sacriston.
"This game will provide a tough test against a very strong side featuring a number of outstanding players .”
Linsley added: “We look as though we will go in to the game unchanged from the first two games, and it’s nice to have a consistent team.
"Our overseas player has not arrived yet and our Durhamplayer,Bry don Carse,w ill most likely be in the Durham squad, for their game versus Warwickshire.
"We will look to use the home advantage to get us over the line and keep up the 100% start to the season.”
Visiting captain Peter Halliday said: “It is likely that we
will field a similar team again this week. Our two injured players are close to returning; however, we have a strong squad and complete confidencein the players we select .”
Hal li day added :“We are expecting another difficult game this week, but hope to bounce back after a disappointing defeat last weekend. Every game in this league presents unique challenges and we know we’ll need to beat our best, to get the results we desire.”
Chester-Le-Street welcome Tynemouth to Ropery Lane and skipper John Coxon said: “We are unchanged and had a really good win at Benwell Hill last week.
"Jake McCann scored an excellent hundred, showing
great fitness and determination, together with George Harrison, the pair set up the big score with a really solid opening stand.
"Li am Simpson and Am a an UlHaq were excellent with the ball, to restrict them and the win was comfortable in the end.”
Coxon added: “We have won our first two games away from Ropery Lane and are looking forward to our first home game of the season, where we will hope to continue our good start against a good Tynemouth side, who are always very competitive.”
Whitburn travel to Felling and skipper Paul Shields said: “We go into the game unchanged after our victory last
week. Jack Burn ham and Luke Smith continue to be unavailable with Durham CC/work commitments.
"We go into the game full of confidence after a very good all round team performance last week, but know that it’ s always a tough game against Felling.”
Washington travel to Hetton Lyons and skipper Joe Thompson said: “We will have one change from last week. Ash Thorpe is unavailable, but his replacement is not yet confirmed.
"We go into the game confident even after a couple of heavy defeats. We are determined to show people why we’re in this league and that we deserve to be there.”
Thompson added: “We showed some spirit last week after being bowled out for a below par score, and we had South North 50-4 and had half a chance, we could easily have gave up at half time. That spirit will hopefully continue on Saturday and we will produce a good performance.”
Sacriston area tB urn op fieldand fixture secretary Iain Best ford said :“Jack K ea ll missesout with a knee injury and is replaced by Lewis Straughair. We' re missing a few key players and so it' s another tough assignment, as we look to get our first win of the season.”
Eppleton travel to unbeaten South North at their Roseworth Terrace ground.