Boldon CA’s confidence boosted after clinching their first win
Boldon CA won for the first time last week in the Readers Durham & Northeast Cricket League Division Two at Horden.
This week, they travel to Peterlee and skipper Stuart Smith said: “After our first win, we are looking to push on in the next few weeks. Jason Jones, Alex Thomas, Conor Elliott and Thomas Jubb are all missing, while Craig Pirie and Liam Johnson come in to the side, to make their first team debuts this season.”
League leaders Seaham Harbour take on fourthplaced Evenwood at New Drive. Captain Stewart Pattison said: “We welcome the return of Jordan Wilson, who has been in superb form, replacing Greg Davison, who is out injured with a broken finger.”
Ryhope, in third place, take on bottom club Horden, who are without a win this season. Chairman Ian Lawrence said: “It was a great performance last week and minimal changes each week are improving the team. Only one change this weekend, as Graeme Pickering returns to the first team after being unavailable last week.”
Tudhoe journey to Hunwick and skipper David Curry said: “We have opening batsman Andrew Carrick missing, so Adam McDonald will take his place. Hunwick are a good team and are having a good season. We are close to one another in the league table and I’m expecting a close
game.”
In the other game, Murton have a tough match as they take on second placed Mainsforth at the Welfare Ground.
Division One seed secondplaced Brandon welcome third-placed South Shields and both teams will be seeking a win to make up some ground on leaders Seaham Park, who do not play this weekend. The home side are
26 points behind them and South Shields a further four points behind.
Esh Winning, in fourth place and just 12 points behind Brandon, travel to struggling Littletown. Skipper Paul Chivers said: “Billy Storey is back in and we always look forward to our game at Littletown. We were disappointed with the result last Saturday but we got back to winning
ways on Monday, with some great individual efforts.”
Head of cricket for the hosts, Greg Arundel, said: “Bryan Conlin returns in place of Shrey Bhatt who, in addition to his injured shoulder, also twisted his knee at the weekend. Both juniors, Matthew Bennett and Toby Fisher, retain their places after impressive showings on their debuts.” Arundel added:
“Our Jekyll and Hyde team characteristics continued last weekend but, hopefully, we take the positives from the Brandon game and put them into what will be a tough test against Esh.”
Dawdon Welfare meet Marsden at Welfare Park and both teams are hovering above the relegation slots, so a win for either side will be welcome. Visiting skipper Owen
Peterson said: “We have no changes, therefore all-rounder Mark Symmington retains his place after doing well with bat and ball.”
Hylton, in fifth place, take on sixth-placed Durham City at the Billy Hardy Complex, while the bottom two meet up, as Ushaw Moor journey to Bill Quay. Both teams are within a point of each other and will be desperate to win.