Seaham Park hope to hang onto top spot – without even playing!
In Division One of the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League, it is likely that two of the top three will win promotion, with fourth-placed Brandon on the fringe ready to pounce if the top three slip up.
With leaders Seaham Park not playing, the table could look quite different come Saturday night.
Second-placed South Shields take on Brandon at Dean Road. The visitors are 33 pointsbehindthehosts,sothis is a ‘must-win’ game for them.
Shields hold a narrow seven point lead over third place, so a win is vital for them too - it should be a cracking game!
Esh Winning, sandwiched in third, are at home to Littletown.
Skipper Paul Chivers said: “We have the same team as last week and we are looking forward to the game. The boys were fantastic last Sunday afterwebeatSeahamParkinthe League Cup final.”
Littletown head of cricket Craig Arundel said: “We have a depletedsidethisweek,asMatt Dench,BryanConlonandToby Fisher are all missing."
SkipperPaulCasselladded: “This game against Esh is going to be really tough and no doubt they’ll come hard at us, after beating them earlier in the season.”
MarsdenandDawdonWelfare are fairly safe now, and meet at Jack Clark Park.
Skipper Owen Peterson said: “Following a great win against Hylton last Saturday,
our aim is to finish the season strong.YoungsterOwenAmess retains his place as wicketkeeperandthereisareturnfor batsman Asif Ramzan.”
At the wrong end of the table,relegatedBillQuaytravelto second-bottom Ushaw Moor, whoareverylikelytojointhem inDivisionTwofollowingpoor seasons for both clubs.
DurhamCityhostHyltonat Green Lane, with both teams
comfortable in mid-table. A win for the home side could help them leapfrog their opponents into fifth place.
Seaham Park have no game this weekend.
Division Two leaders SeahamHarbourshouldsealtheir promotion and then push on for the title as they travel to Evenwood.Theywillbelooking fortheir15thwinoftheseason, but the home side have had a strong season with eight wins themselves, getting them up currently to fifth position.
Ryhope, in second place, have an eight-point cushion over Mainsforth in third and travel to Horden, who are desperate for points to avoid relegation.
Chairman Ian Lawrence said: “We have one change as Davy Gilbert is unavailable, so Graeme Pickering comes in, and a win will consolidate our promotion place.”
Mainsforth are at home to Murton and have won four of their last five league games, pushing themselves into contentionforpromotion.Thevisitors have lost their last three league games and are fourth bottom.
Boldon CA are third bottom, but have a 26-point cushion over Horden after picking upsomeformoflate.Theyface a tough match with Peterlee at New Road and skipper Stuart Smith said: “Myself and Conor Elliot are back alongside Mark Cox, who also comes in after having a few weeks out due to afootinjury,andwearelooking for back-to-back wins.”
Two teams in mid-table meet up at St Charles Road as Tudhoe take on visiting Hunwick.