Dukes ECB North East Premier League: Seaham Harbour in fight to avoid relegation face third placed Burnmoor

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, there are just seven games left in the season, and Seaham Harbour in their fight to avoid relegation, are 22 points adrift of safety presently, but face a tough game at home to third placed Burnmoor. Skipper Ian Pattison said: “We have Mathew Wilson coming back in for Kieran Waterson who is away doing the three peaks. We expect a tough game against a very strong team.”

Burnmoor’s Alec Lindsley said: “This is our first league meeting there since the Durham Senior League days. We’ve been hit with injuries as three players are absent with broken bones! Thankfully all not too serious and should be back soon. Ryan Pringle and Graeme Bridge are definitely out, with a late fitness test for Ross Greenwell. Noah Worthy and Rhys Brown come in to deputise.”

Shotley Bridge are bottom, but still have an outside chance of survival, however, they have to win most of their remaining games and they have a difficult game at home, to fifth placed Chester-le- Street. Visiting head coach Ash Thorpe said: “We head to Shotley on the back of a clinical win against Benwell Hill. School holidays are taking their toll on availability, so it will be an interesting discussion at the selection meeting on Thursday night. We want to build on last week’s win, to keep climbing up the table which is very tight in the middle.

Castle Eden without a win in their last three games, take on fourth placed Felling at Parklands. Skipper Jonny Malkin said: “Ben Simpson and Callum Appleby returning this week. Hoping to get back to winning ways after a poor result last week.”

Hetton Lyons travel to second bottom Benwell Hill, who will be fighting for points to avoid relegation. The Hill are 67 points from safety, so they have to start winning games soon. Head of senior cricket Phil Nicholson said: “We welcome back Ben Cant and Lee Crozier for the visit of the Lyons.” League leaders South Northumberland take on close rivals Newcastle, who are in sixth position.

Skipper Chris Hewison said: “We have not selected the final team as of yet, but George Drissell is likely to be missing, however, we are at full strength other than that.” Ashington eased their relegation fears last weekend, with a comprehensive win at Felling. However, they take on second placed Burnopfield, who are unbeaten in their last four games, but realistically can’t win the league, as they are 79 points behind South North.

Division One

Sunderland are bottom and they travel down the coast needing a miracle to avoid relegation, as they try to beat Seaham Park. Skipper Michael Nunn said: “We are likely to be unchanged although Jacob Winlow and Hashmat Hemat may come into the reckoning.” But their hosts are not quite out of the promotion race just yet. Seaham Park senior coach Michael McGhin said: “Wicket keeper Morgan Hopkins is away, so Johnny Foster takes over the gloves and Will Roberts comes back into the team.”

Willington are 40 points from safety, but have an ideal opportunity to reduce that, by beating third bottom Newcastle City at their Manor Road Ground. City six points from safety themselves are unchanged for the match, following their win at Tynedale last week.

Sacriston travel to Boldon in need of a win and to start and put a run together, towards the end of the season, to pull away from trouble. However, they are still nine points from safety, with just the seven games remaining, of which the majority of those teams are at the top. At the top, league leaders Whitburn hold a 19 point lead at the top and take on Tynedale, at The Village Ground, looking for their eleventh win of the season. Philadelphia travel to second placed Tynemouth, who are chasing the one promotion slot this season. Visiting skipper Dan McGee said: “Ben Debnam and Joel Hull-Denholm are away on holiday and George Stewart is at the Bunbury Festival.”

McGee added: “Disappointing not to get the result we wanted last week, bringing our unbeaten run to an end. That said, we’re still in a strong position with plenty of cricket left to play this season. Hopefully we can bounce back with a big performance and get back to winning ways on Saturday.” Lanchester in fourth place, are 46 points away from the top slot for promotion, but they face Gateshead Fell in third place, so a win would be excellent, to move into third place.

Readers Durham & North East Cricket League: Division One

In the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League, Durham City have an eight point lead at the top, and they take on bottom club Ryhope at Green Lane. Ryhope chairman Ian Lawrence said: “We hope to build on last week’s victory and field an unchanged team.” Brandon are second, and they take on Esh Winning at home. They are just eight points behind the leaders and will need to win to keep the pressure on Durham City. Tudhoe in the third promotion place, travel to South Shields knowing a win would help keep the pressure on fourth placed Eppleton. Shields skipper Anth Marshall said: “Oliver Blevins-Clarke and Luke Elliott come in for Sameer Awan and Josh Leslie, who are away.”

Peterlee are in fifth place and they take on fourth placed Eppleton, who are keen to fill the third promotion spot, at the Helford Oval. The home side could also put a late run of wins together, and they are not yet out of the promotion race just yet. Club official Adele Craggs said: “It’s great to have opening bowler James Garraghan back for this weekend. We are really looking forward to the test of Eppleton this weekend, after not showing ourselves in our best light in the reverse fixture earlier this season.” At the bottom, Crook are five points from safety and they travel to Hunwick, who are definitely not safe, but have a 17 point advantage over their opponents. Another team in deep trouble are Dawdon Welfare, who are third bottom with a five point cushion. They journey to Littletown who had a crucial win last week against Crook, which has eased their relegation worries.

Division Two

League leaders Evenwood have a single point lead at the top, and they journey to second placed Mainsforth, who have a five point lead over third place. Skipper Luke Bannister said: “Owen Peddelty returns to the team, putting us at full strength for this important match.” Boldon CA in fourth place, have probably just missed out this season, but it’s a funny old game cricket at times. They take on East Rainton who are fifth at their New Road Ground.

Silksworth take on Horden at home in a mid-table clash and skipper Andy Barrass said: “We welcome back Saeem Korim and hopefully Michael Waterson, but Michael Kelly isn’t available this week. It’s always a tough game against Horden, but hopefully we can continue our form of late, and make it three wins on the trot.”

At the bottom end of the table, Murton take on Wearmouth at the Welfare Ground and Langley Park and Bearpark entertain Bill Quay at Colliery Road Ground. Durham City 2nds who are fourth bottom, take on Marsden who are in third position, at Jack Clark Park.