Leaders have full squad available for trip to rivals
League leaders in Dukes ECB North East Division One, Sunderland, travel this weekend to fourth-placed Newcastle.
Skipper Greg Applegarth said: “We have a full squad to choose from.
"Last week, we were disappointed to lose part of the game to the weather but we did all we could to get the win. Newcastle away will be a tough game so will have to make sure we all perform to our best to stay where we are.”
Castle Eden, in second place, travel to Shotley Bridge and skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “We have two changes this week, as Ryan Ball and Lewis Williams are missing. Phillip Wimpenny and Chris Freeman come into the side to replace them.”
At the bottom end of the table, Lanchester host bottom club Boldon at Ashley Park. A win for the visitors will drag the home side into the mire, alongside Philadelphia.
Skipper Greg Patterson said: “Kieron Taylor, Kieran Gohery and Daniel Storey come back in and we are looking to build on a great performance last Saturday that nearly won us the game. Charlie McPhail, Ben Rayner and Jak Forster drop out.”
Philadelphia travel to Willington and, following an encouraging performance last weekend at Sunderland, they make just one change for the game.
Peter Greenwell is not available and Tom Raine steps up after he was ruled out of the game against Sunderland.
Chris Malley, signed from Bill Quay, and Braydn Davis, the former Eppleton player, both made their debuts and impressed. Chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “We played well against the Ashbrooke side, who are top of the table. The draw enabled us to improve our position near the bottom of the table.”
Ashington have probably left themselves too much to do in their promotion quest, as they are 58 points behind Castle Eden. They take on Gateshead Fell, who are not safe from relegation just yet, at Langwell Crescent. Skipper Sean McCafferty said: “We are looking forward to the return of the win-lose format in which, hopefully, we get off to a winning start.”
Two teams in mid-table and both with five wins to their names this season clash at Dawson Street as Crook entertain Blaydon, with just 12 points separating the two teams.
In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, leaders Burnmoor go into the last five games of the season with a 30-point lead at the top.
They travel to Felling and skipper Alec Linsley said: “We had a good win at Benwell Hill last Saturday and then followed it up by winning the DSCL Protech Final on Sunday, so we are going into the game full of confidence. The rules change back to orange ball, win or lose cricket, and our hosts were outstanding in the first six games of the season in this format.
"We go in to the game unchanged and are ready for another tough game against some good friends. We will need to win every game from here on in if we want to win the league without relying on other teams helping us out. It’s going to be an interesting five weeks and we are all looking forward to the challenges they bring.”
Chester-le-Street travel to South Northumberland, which has become a ‘must win’ game if they are to retain their title ambitions at this stage of the season. Skipper John Coxon said: “We will be without a few this week, as Quentin Hughes and his son Sebastian will be away for the next few weeks and we are also without George Harrison and Liam Simpson. It will be a big challenge to beat South North but we will be going for it.”
At the bottom end of the league, Washington have a four-point cushion just above the relegation trapdoor and host Eppleton at Vigo Lane.
Skipper Joe Thompson said: “We will be unchanged from last weekend and we go into the last five games of win or lose cricket knowing we need to be better than we were at the start of the season. We learnt a lot from those games and have confidence we will put the performances in.
"This game will be tough against an Eppleton team who we’ve played a few times this season with some highscoring encounters. We have to turn up and be on our game. If we are, we have a chance of taking the points.”
Sacriston are 24 points from safety and journey to Whitburn. Fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “Craig Robertson is unavailable and he is replaced by Luke Husband. With us returning to 50-over win-lose games, Daniel Stephenson comes in for Ed Foreman.
“After a dominant performance that wasn't rewarded with a win, because of rain against Burnopfield last week, we are looking to take a bit more confidence into a must-win game against a Whitburn side which has seen an upturn in form in recent weeks.”
Burnopfield are four points from safety and they travel to Hetton Lyons. The visitors have not won in their last five matches, while the Lyons have seen a dip in form in their last five games.
The visitors will be looking for their third win of the season here to boost their survival hopes for this season.
Tynemouth, in sixth place, take on Benwell Hill in fourth place at Preston Avenue and are 30 points behind the visitors.
The home side will be looking for their seventh win of the season to close the gap.
Visiting skipper Peter Halliday said: “We welcome Phil Bell back to the team this week, which is a boost. “We were disappointed with the manner of defeat last week and hope to return to form quickly, to set up a strong finish to the season.”