Dukes ECB North East Premier League: Weekend cricket preview

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

In the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, there are just two games left in the season and the focus is again around the relegation arena. Three teams are relegated this season, with the new league structure taking place from next season. Seaham Harbour on 198 points, have won just one game in their last five matches, journey to third placed Burnopfield. Skipper Ian Pattison said: “We go into our trip to Burnopfield with an unchanged team, following last week’s disappointment in losing to Felling. There are two games left and in an ideal world, we would win both and help our chances of survival in what is our first year in the premier league.”

Castle Eden on 204 points, have lost their last five games and take on Benwell Hill, at the Parklands. Skipper Jonny Malkin said: “Ryan Ball comes in and there were lots of positives on Saturday gone against South North, so we are looking to continue to improve and get a win on Saturday.”

Benwell Hill head of senior cricket Phil Nicholson said: “We travel without Rory Mustard, who has returned to boarding school in the Midlands. The veteran Adam Heather is expected to be fit to replace him.” Shotley Bridge on 205 points, having won three of their last four games, are just outside of the relegation zone and they face a tough trip to Ashington. Hetton Lyons are probably safe on 246 points and travel to Newcastle, who beat Chester-le-Street last week, to secure their status for next season.

Burnmoor in second place, are looking to secure the runner-up spot and they travel to champions South Northumberland and the title winners will want to finish unbeaten this season and clearly are a ‘hard nut’ to crack. Chester-le-Street in fifth place, are away at Felling in fourth position. Head coach Ash Thorpe said: “We go into the penultimate game at Felling, on the back of a mixed weekend. On Saturday we lost a close one on a poor surface at Jesmond. On Monday though, we bounced back to claim the Banks Salver with some brilliant performances. Jacob McCann continues to be unavailable, but we hope to have Zac Mawdsley back for Saturday.”

Division One

Any two teams from three, have a great chance to finish in the top two promotion places. League leaders Gateshead Fell (380 pts) are at home to struggling Sacriston, who are 30 points from safety. Visiting fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “We have two changes as we head into a must-win game this weekend. Craig Robertson is unavailable and is replaced by Nathan Bushnell. Rohan Knowles will also return to the side having impressed in the second team in recent weeks.”

Bestford added: “We need to win our last two games and have a few results go our way, if we are to avoid relegation and so are looking for the lads to push hard against a Gateshead Fell side challenging for promotion.” Whitburn (361 pts) are in second place and journey to in-form Newcastle City.

Willington are relegated and they are at home to third placed Tynemouth (353 pts). Visiting skipper Dan McGee said: “We had a disappointing result on Saturday, which likely puts an end to our promotion hopes. However, it’s still important that we finish strong and try to get two wins from two, and end the season in the strongest way possible.”

At the bottom, Sunderland are relegated, and they will be joined by two from four clubs. Skipper Michael Nunn said: “We are hoping that Joe Defty and Greg Applegarth can return from injury.” Philadelphia (268 pts) travel the short distance to take on Sunderland at Ashbrooke and must pick up points to ensure their safety. Tynedale (268 pts) are away at in-form Lanchester who are fourth.

Boldon (249 pts) travel to take on Seaham Park and host senior coach Michael McGhin said: “Wicket Keeper Morgan Hopkins returns following injury, with Noah Russell dropping down to the seconds. It’s a big game, as need the win to ensure we don’t end up going into the last game, with a risk of relegation.”

Readers Durham & North East Cricket League

Division One

In the Readers Durham & North East Cricket League, three teams will be promoted into 3rd Tier next season, subject to the clubs meeting NEPL entry criteria. Current leaders Durham City (456 pts) take on Littletown, at Green Lane. Brandon (427 pts) in second place, are at home to relegation threatened Hunwick. Eppleton (408 pts) are in third place, and they travel to Esh Winning and Tudhoe (375 pts) in fourth place, welcome Dawdon Welfare to St Charles Road.

Down at the bottom, relegated Ryhope take on second bottom Crook, who are 27 points from safety, so the visitors just have to win the game, to have any chance of staying up. Ryhope chairman Ian Lawrence said: “This week we have Graham Pickering returning to the team.”

South Shields take on Peterlee at Wood Terrace and skipper Anth Marshall said: “Keelan Clements and Oliver Appleby are in for Luke Elliott and Josh Leslie.” The visitors are without Captain Ellis Dunn who is banned, so Jack Sullivan will deputise again. Club official Adele Craggs said: “A last big push from the lads needed for the final two games, and we are hoping for a good finish after a great year.”

Division Two

Evenwood have secured one of the top two promotion places, and they travel to Silksworth, who still need a win to guarantee their survival. Skipper Luke Bannister said: “We are full strength and eight points away from winning the league, so we go into the game looking to be positive and getting over the final hurdle.”

Silksworth skipper Andy Barrass said: “No confirmed team news as yet, as we are assessing injuries, but we are definitely missing Jordan Crake and Saeem Korim from last week, but hope to welcome back Saidur Rehman. We need to bounce back from a poor batting display last week.” Mainsforth in second place, currently have a slender three point lead over third placed Marsden. They travel to Murton, who are 10 points from safety and badly need a win.

Boldon CA in fourth place, are still in the race for the top two places, but have to win at Horden and hope the other three teams above them slip up. Langley Park and Bearpark in fifth place, have won their last five league games and are in terrific form. They take on third placed Marsden, at their Colliery Road ground. Two teams still in trouble, meet up at Hall Terrace, as Bill Quay take on East Rainton, with the visitors just 10 points clear of the relegation trapdoor.