Burnmoor aim to stay one step ahead of South North
With just four games to go in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, leaders Burnmoor hold a 30-point lead at the top as they welcome Chester-le-Street to the Village Ground.
Skipper Alec Linsley said: “We had a great win last week which saw Marcus Brown score his maiden Premier League century! I know John Coxon will have his team up for this, in what’s a must-win game for them. We are in good form and hopefully can continue that and keep the pressure on the favourites South North.”
L ins ley added :“As for team news,DazHic key comes in for Riley Blunt, who is working, in the only change this week.”
Cestrians skipper John Coxon said: “Last week’s loss doesn’t change much for us. We try and win every game we play, so we will be doing the same against Burnmoor. As for team news, we will have George Harrison and Liam Simpson back for the game, and they will be keen to make up for missing out last week.”
There is a huge game at the other end of the table, as Sacriston entertain Washington at Front Street. The home side currently occupy one of the relegation slots and the visitors have a 21-point cushion above them (average points).
Fixture secretary Iain Best ford said :“Nathan Bushnell is unavailable due to holiday and so is replaced by Graham Hub ber.M el Bettsh as recovered from a hamstring tear and comes in for Luke Husband.”
Best ford added :“Our victory over W hit burn last weekend was vital to our efforts in avoiding relegation, and this week's game provides us with an opportunity to leap frog our opponents and move out of the bottom two.”
Visiting skipper Joe Thompson said: “We will be unchanged and we go into this week’s massive game confident after a much-improved display last weekend. We know there are areas in which we need to improve on, but we have kept ourselves in with a chance of survival.”
Thompson added :“Sacri st on will also be confident after winning last week and I’m sure it will be a competitive game of cricket that will have some nervy moments. We have some strong characters in our ranks, and this is when we need them all to stand up.”
Whitburn hold a 43-point cushion above the two relegation slots, but they have a tough game away at Benwell Hill.
Hill skipper Peter Halliday said: “I am not expecting any major changes from the team who performed so well at Tynemouth last week. This will be a tough challenge this weekend against Whitburn, who have picked up some good results recently, and we know we’ll have to be at our best to get a result.”
Bottom-club Burnopfield are 19 points from safety (average points), and they face an out-of-form Felling at home. They will be striving for their third win of the season, to push themselves out of the bottom two relegation slots.
The battle to control fifth spot is at Church Road, where Eppleton welcome Hetton Lyons. The visitors are in good form at present, but are eight points behind their hosts.
South Northumberland visit Tyne mouth and the home side have lost their last four league games.
However, the Bulls will not take them lightly, but they do have to win and keep the pressure on leaders Burnmoor.
New Division One leaders Castle Eden take on lowly Lanchester at Parklands.
Eden skipper Jonathan Malkin said: “One change this week, as Ryan Ball is out and Lewis Williams comes in. It was a good start last week for the win/lose and we are hoping to keep it up.”
Sunderland have slipped to second place following their defeat at Newcastle last weekend and they face Blaydon at Ashbrooke.
Skipper Greg Applegarth said: “We have a full team to choose from, and it’s important for the team to bounce back from last week’s surprising defeat.”
Newcastle, in third, are 41 points behind Sunderland, and they travel to Gateshead Fell. Director of cricket Phil Hudson said: “We make three changes from the side that beat Sunderland last week. Captain Ben Quirk returns along with Ben and Luke Mus sett, withKi era nTr eva ski sand Joe Boaden particularly unlucky to miss out.”
Hudson added :“We seek to keep pressure on the top two in the remaining four games, in the hope that there’s a wobble!”
Willington are a further eight points behind in fourth place, and they welcome Crook to Manor Road.
The home side have dropped off the promotion race with only one in their last five games, but they do still have a slim chance.
Manager Karl Brown said: “Illness and injury have played a part over the last few weeks, but hopefully the side is recovering with James Stock, Lachlan Marron and Steven Alderson all returning.
“The derby game against Crook is always a test, but hopefully the side can turn their luck around.”
Philadelphia have had one win and two draw sin their last three games, moving them away from any threat of relegation, and they face Shotley Bridge at Bunker Hill, with both teams on the same number of points.
Chairman Malcolm Pratt said :“Last week took a big step towards avoiding relegation with an excellent all-round performance against Willington and we will be looking to secure a second season in this division.
“Captain Shaun Smith delays announcing his line-up, but all players are available, including recent signings Braydn Davis from Eppleton and Peter Malley, who joined from Bill Quay.
“RossPearson,ex-Burnopfield, also joined before deadline day, but he is expected to continue in the second team.”
It looks like curtains for bottom club Boldon unfortunately, as they are 47 points from safety. They face Ashington at Sunderland Road, with the visitors still having a flicker of hope for promotion.