Washington are aiming to injure the pride of Lyons
Washington have a precarious nine-point buffer in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, above the relegation trapdoor, and host Hetton Lyons at the Harraton Cricket Ground.
Skipper Joe Thompson said: “We will be unchanged from last Saturday. I will be looking for a big response from the lads after the dismal display we all put in at the weekend.
“Beause of that performance, we have put pressure on ourselves to start picking up results.
"We still believe we have the ability to stay up but we need to start showing that on the pitch, starting with this game.”
Whitburn have a 27-point cushion over the relegation trapdoor, but must keep picking up points to avoid getting dragged back into the relegation mire.
They face Felling at The Village Ground, where they beat fellow strugglers Washington by nine wickets last weekend.
Leaders Burnmoor hold a 37-point lead at the top but face a very tough trip to third placed Benwell Hill.
Skipper Alec Linsley said: “We make one change this week, which sees Riley Blunt return to the first team after his century in the seconds. He replaces Graeme Bridge, who is still struggling with a hamstring injury.
“Last week we had a great maximum points win over Tynemouth.
"It meant we stretched our lead, slightly, over the challengers, in our bid to retain the Premier Division title.
"This week, we have a very tough test and they were unlucky with the weather last Saturday, so will be going all out to beat us.
"They have plenty of talented players, none more than Kyle Coetzer, who is in outstanding form. We will be going to win and look to try and maintain our pole position.”
Benwell Hill skipper Pe
ter Halliday said: “We are still missing a couple for various reasons but expect to field a similar team to last week. Anthony Hunter and Peter Jones are back in contention.
“We expect a difficult challenge as they are a fantastic side. We’ve given ourselves a chance, fighting towards the top end of the league, and a win would help significantly. But we need to perform to the standard we have regularly produced this season.”
Eppleton welcome South Northumberland to Church Road, and are in sparkling form at present. They have won their last four games and are unbeaten in seven games, moving up to fifth place in the league.
The visitors have to win to keep in touch with the leaders, so this should be a cracking match.
There is a huge relegation tussle this week at Front Street, as bottom club Sacriston entertain secondbottom Burnopfield.
Fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We have Stan McAlindon, Jack Keall and Martin Hubber all back and available and they replace Mark Fort, Dan Stephenson and Luke Husband.
“We play three of the bottom four in our next three games, so it's not only in our own hands but crucial we start winning some games if we are to avoid relegation.”
Chester-le-Street are at Tynemouth and must win to keep in the title race.
Skipper John Coxon said: “We will be welcoming back Jack and George Harrison but will likely lose Andrew Bell to injury.
"Sebastian HughesPinan is probably going to miss out, as he has been away playing for North of England at the Bunbury festival this week in Loughborough, but we simply have to win.”
In Dukes ECB North East Division One, league leaders Sunderland are at lowly Philadelphia and skipper
Greg Applegarth said: “We have a full squad to pick from and are hoping to continue last week’s good performance but there are no easy games in this league.”
Host chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “Playing Sunderland at Phili will be like the old days of the Durham Senior League, when we were two of the top clubs in the North East.
"We will delay selection of the side to nearer the time but should be stronger than they have been for a number of weeks.
“Captain Shaun Smith returned last week after being side-lined because of Covid-19 and Steve Wright tested his fitness when he played for the second team.
"Luke Robinson is also ready to make his comeback. The 17 year-old was also out after being pinged and then suffered a leg injury but he returned in the under 18 game on Tuesday night, when he scored an unbeaten half-century.”
Castle Eden, in second place, welcome relegationthreatened Gateshead Fell to Parklands.
Skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “Phil Wimpenny is unavailable and he is replaced by Ryan Ball.
"We are hoping to finish the win, lose, draw, part of the season with a win.”
Third-placed Willington, entertain Blaydon and manager Karl Brown said: “After a disappointing result against Sunderland, we are looking to get back on track at Manor Road.
"They were victors earlier in the season and a win in the red ball fixture will put the team back in the fight for league honours.
"Joe Davis returns and, hopefully, there will also be a return by opening bat Jamie Dass from injury.”
Bottom club Boldon need a win to bolster their fight against relegation and they welcome Crook to Sunderland Road.
Meanwhile, Lanchester host Ashington in the final game of the weekend.