Burnmoor aim to catch leaders with victory against Newcastle
In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, Burnmoor journey to Osborne Avenue, the home of Newcastle, and will be looking for the win to stay in touch with the leaders.
Club official Alec Lindsley said: “After a disappointing result last week, we will be looking to bounce back.
“They are having a great season so far, so it’ll be a tough match up, but hopefully we have enough to get over the line and back to winning ways. One change sees Craig Stephenson in for Dan Reed, who drops into the second team.”
Chester-le-Street, in second place, welcome Benwell Hill in fourth, to Ropery Lane.
Skipper Ash Thorpe said: “We have Liam Simpson and Sebastian Hughes-Pinan returning to the team and we are waiting on Stanley McAlindon being available from Durham .”
Benwell Hill skipper Peter Hal li day said :“We have Hay don Mustard and Callum Harding returning this week, which is a huge boost. It’s a tough game coming up, but we are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing few weeks, following a very promising start to the season.”
Castle Eden welcome bottom club Whitburn, who are badly in need of a win to kick start their season.
Park lands skipper Jonathan M al kin said :“Keith Bailey, Phil Wimpenny, Oliver Sampson-Barnes and JP Meade all return and we are looking to get back to winning ways.”
In the other games, league leaders South Northumberland entertain third placed Felling at Roseworth Terrace. Tynemouth travel up the coast to play Ashing ton at their Lang well Crescent ground and Hetton Lyons, a point above the bottom two, journey to Burnopfield.
In Division One, league leaders Sunderland still have a 16-point lead at the top, and they welcome third-placed Seaham Park to Ashbrooke.
Skipper Greg Applegarth said: “We have a full squad to choose from and wer're looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing first defeat of the season.”
Lanchester, in second place, play host to bottom club Willington and skipper Stu McPhail said: “We have Luke McCabe and Dan Storey unavailable, so Jack Slane and Nathan Somersall move up from the seconds to take their place .”
Philadelphia welcome Eppleton to Bunker Hill and chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “We could have a near fullstrength side on duty with wicket keeper/batsman Mattie Noble and paceman Steve Wright expected to resume. Shaun Smith, though, continues to be side-lined and it may be another couple of weeks before here covers from a badly broken finger.”
Sacriston, in fourth place, make the short journey to Washington and fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We are hoping that Jack Keall (groin) and Nathan Hall (thigh) are fit to return to action, with a decision to be made later this week. Dan Thexton is out for the foreseeable future with a broken finger.
“We are expecting another hard-fought game on the back of just coming up short in search of a win last week and seeing Washington defend a low total against Sunderland.”
Washington skipper Joe Thompson said :“We are unsure on team news until Saturday morning, as we are waiting on availability from one player on an injury, but Michael Nunn will return from his holiday. We look forward to testing ourselves against one of the form teams in the division.”
Thompson added: “We will go into the game confident, on the back of a good win against
Sunderland last week. That win gave us the belief that we are good enough to beat anyone and if we perform well as a team, we will be a match for any side in the division.”
Shotley Bridge travel to Tynedale and home skipper Tom Cant said :“Jamie Crichton (wedding) is unavailable and is replaced by Oliver Fletcher and Tim Raglan replaces Nathan Byerley.”
In the other game, Crook are away at Gateshead Fell.
In the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League, Seaham Harbour, in third, are at Boldon, and skipper Ian Pattison said: “We come across a verygood,well-organisedteam in Boldon. We expect a tough challenge from an experienced team. We have Desmond Con sit tb a ck behind the sticks taking over from Dane Wilson and also hand a de but to all-round er Dale Marshall, who comes in for Nathan Corkhill.”
Mainsforth need a win against lowly Evenwood to get among the leaders. Evenwood skipper Rhys Peairs said: “We are unchanged from last Saturday’s game and are at fullstrength once more.”
In the other games, Brandon host bottom club Hylton and Durham City entertain Little town at Green Lane, while Esh Winning could go top with a win at South Shields.
Current league leaders Ryhope have no game this weekend.
In Division Two, Boldon CA travel to the Helford Oval, the home of Peterlee, and visiting skipper Jason Jones said: “We have a few players unavailable this weekend–all-rounder Stu Smith gets married on Friday so he misses out, bowler Ryan Hale is on holiday and Dom Slater is unavailable.
"Jeevan Kang, who's been with us a couple of weeks now, and Amrit Singh come in, alongside James Dance, who is available again. It’s going be a tough game at Peterlee, but we will be up for a fight and looking to bounce back from our home defeat to Tud ho e last Saturday .”
League leaders Tudhoe entertain Durham City (2nds) at St Charles Road while Marsden, in second place, entertain third-placed Hunwick.
In the other games, Beamish and East Stanley welcome Dawdon Welfare to Bourne Court and Langley Park& Bear park host Ushaw Mo or.
Horden have no game.