Marsden facing Esh in battle between promotion hopefuls
Two teams vying for promotion from the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League Division One, and in good form, are Marsden and Esh Winning, who pair up at Jack Clark Park.
Marsden skipper Owen Peterson said: “We are boosted by the return of opening bowler Ryan Little following three weeks out with a calf injury. Esh are a quality side and we will have to be at the top of our game if we want to keep our winning streak going.”
League leaders Seaham Park journey to Hylton. Both sides have had mixed results of late, having won two and lost two of their last five matches. However, the visitors have lost just once in the league this season.
Visiting skipper Dale Shaw said: “Thomas Ferguson is unavailable, so this brings in Jack Lacey. We are hoping to continue our good form into this game, following our eight-wicket win against Durham City.”
South Shields are just a point behind the leaders and they entertain Bill Quay at Dean Road. The visitors are 27 points from safety, with only one league win this season, and will be in for a difficult afternoon.
Littletown journey to Durham City and captain Paul Cassell said: “It’s been three weeks since our last game on a weekend and we are chomping at the bit. We are, unfortunately, experiencing some selection issues this week,
with both Jonny Davis and David Craig missing, but are hopeful their replacements will step up and be counted. Nathan Walton and Shrey Bhatt both come in from the second team.”
Dawdon Welfare are seven points from safety and face a difficult task as fourth-placed Brandon visit Welfare Park. However, the visitors are without a win in five games
and have slipped away from the promotion race.
Seaham Harbour hold a healthy 24-point lead at the top of Division Two as they travel to Horden. Skipper Stewart Pattison said: “We journey to the match with Dane Wilson and Greg Davison expecting late fitness tests before we finalise the team.”
Ryhope, in second place,
face Hunwick at home and chairman Ian Lawrence said: “Graeme Pickering returns to the team after injury; otherwise we are unchanged.”
Fifth-placed Tudhoe welcome third-placed Mainsforth to St Charles Road and skipper David Curry said: “We play our local rivals with a full-strength team available.
"We played them in the first game of the season and it was a close-fought and competitive contest. I’m sure this will be the same.”
Silksworth are bottom, 29 points from safety and could really do with a win for the first time this season, as they face Peterlee at Silksworth Lane. Skipper Andy Barrass said: “Kieron Laws comes into the team for his first league game of the season but Ben Lobban misses out through work.
"The first half of the season has been tough but we’ll keep going and hopefully pick up a few wins between now and the end of the season.”
Two other teams trying to avoid relegation this season, Boldon CA and Murton, pair up at New Road. The home side are six points above the trapdoor, while the visitors are a single point from safety.