Tough task awaits the basement boys against the league leaders
Readers Durham & North East Cricket League Division Two’s bottom club Silksworth face a daunting task this weekend when they travel to league leaders Seaham Harbour.
Silksworth skipper Andy Barrass said: “The holiday season affects us this weekend with a few regulars missing, including myself. It’ll be a tough game at Seaham Harbour but we just need to keep trying to pick up points.”
Seaham skipper Stewart Pattison said: “After an exciting victory over Ryhope last week, we have Regan Pattison and Stewart Pattison returning in place of Greg Davison and Andrew Stephenson.”
Ryhope, in second place, are at Evenwood and chairman Ian Lawrence said: “Liam Stores is unavailable this week and his place is taken by Kristian Summerside. We are looking forward to the game.”
Mainsforth in third place, welcome in-form Boldon CA to Morrison Terrace. Visiting skipper Stuart Smith said: “Myself, Mark Cox and Sam Sanderson are all missing this week, because of other commitments and holidays. However, we look forward to a tough game and the team is looking for back-to-back victories in the league.”
Tudhoe entertain relegation-threatened Horden and skipper David Curry said: “We have key players Cort Lynn, Adam McDonald, James Curry and Jack Warren all missing. Further to that, many
players are missing currently with isolation and holidays but will we still go into the game looking to pick up as many points as possible.”
In the other game, Murton could do with another win just to push themselves away from the relegation mire. They travel to Hunwick, who will be looking for their fifth win of the season, while Peterlee have no game this weekend.
In Division One, new league leaders Esh Winning welcome fourth-placed Hylton and will need to leave selection to the last minute, to check who’s available following injuries and isolation issues.
Seaham Park, in second place, are at bottom club Bill Quay and will delay naming their team until the last minute,
with similar issues as the league leaders.
South Shields, in third place, journey to Ushaw Moor and the home side hover just a point above the relegation trapdoor. The visitors lost heavily at home to Esh Winning last weekend, so will be looking to bounce back.
Marsden travel to Brandon and skipper Owen Peterson said: “We’re disappointed to
have lost momentum with being the only game off two weeks ago and our free weekend last Saturday. Therefore, we’re raring to go. All-rounder Mark Symmington and wicket keeper Scott Oliver return to the team.”
Dawdon Welfare are just a point adrift of safety and they journey to Littletown. The visitors won well last time out against Bill Quay and will be looking for a repeat here. Littletown head of cricket Craig Arundel said: “Captain Paul Cassell and Bryan Conlin both return, following Covid isolation periods.”
Cassell added: “We set a league record for runs scored in 45 overs at Dawdon early in the season, so no doubt they’ll come at us hard wanting revenge. We’ll need to be on top of our game.”