Durham Leagues Preview

May 24 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

EPPLETON’S indifferent start to the Warmseal Durham Senior League programme will be put under further examination as they travel to take on champions Burnmoor today in the first match of a Bank Holiday double-header.

The club have a renewed spring in their step after the long-running saga over the availability of their overseas professional was resolved – Zimbabwean Elton Chigumbura goes straight into the side.

Elton is a right-arm medium paced bowler who can bat, and brings some experience with him as his record of six Test appearances and 71 ODI games indicates. Skipper David Lowther also returns. Home supporters will get their first chance to see Chigumbura on Monday when Marsden are the visitors.

Hetton Lyons go into their games without key batsman Paul Riddle. Liam Mallaburn and Gary Adey step in for the trip to South Hetton today, for whom 16-year-old Luke Lang is given his debut, and then entertain Burnmoor on Monday.

Whitburn, second, go to Marsden today, then are at home to Felling. They are minus Neil Johnson.

Philadelphia draft in juniors Matthew Haswell and Jamie Parkinson for their home match with Horden and the trip to Seaham Harbour. Horden skipper Adrian Hedley misses the first game of the weekend, as does Kevin Spanton, although they both return to face Durham City.

Felling are unchanged as they try to compound Seaham Harbour’s problems at the bottom before facing up to Whitburn. Boldon travel to Durham to take on a City side close to the trapdoor, before tackling South Hetton in their second match.

After only four rounds in the Readers Durham County League Esh Winning and Shildon Railway have already opened up a sizeable 30-point gap over their rivals.

Both top clubs, Esh today and Shildon on Monday, take their turn to sit out proceedings, and the games they do play certainly do not look bankers on paper.

Willington have demonstrated that they are a match for anyone on their day and they expect an unchanged line-up for their home game with Esh on Monday.

This afternoon the Railwaymen lock horns with a Hylton side that have won two of the three they have played – and the visitors are boosted by the return of John Stokoe who has recovered from a broken wrist. Andy Kibble comes in to open the batting.

Shildon expect young star Greg Upton to return after he missed last week. Kimblesworth will possibly give a debut to new signing Timothy Edwards, a bowler who has moved to them from Belmont, otherwise they will be unchanged for their home head-to-head with Crook today and the match at Evenwood on Monday.

Crook will have skipper Andy Burgess back for both their matches, the second of which is at home to Tudhoe on Monday.

In an unusual transfer merry-go-round Ushaw Moor give a debut to opening bowler Scott Hobson who has joined them from Brandon. He goes straight into the side to play Willington, although Peter Maddison is missing for the Moor.

There is an immediate face-off against his old colleagues for Hobson when his new team play at Brandon on Monday.

It’s one out and two in for Brandon. Having lost Hobson, they have brought back two former players, the Ortons – with 51-year-old Bobby and his son Tom rejoining the club from Mainsforth.

Brandon start their holiday double at Etherley who have skipper Michael Crane and Michael Chapman back. Darren Patterson returns for Mainsforth after missing the last fortnight, they go to Tudhoe and then entertain Etherley.

One week ago Ryhope had to grin and bear it as they handed over the leadership of the 3D Durham Coast League to Castle Eden, and this week it is the turn of Castle to twiddle their thumbs as others vie for the early-season bragging rights at the top of the table.

Murton must be favourites to take over the reins – they currently sit just two points behind the leaders and enjoy home advantage this afternoon when Boldon CA are the visitors.

Seaham Park are handily placed in third spot having played one less game than those above them – and they do still jealously cling to the only remaining 100% record. They face up to Washington on home soil, but will have to do without both Alan Worthy and David Morton.

After a week’s rest, Ryhope will be desperate for some action and they return to the fray with a home game against Silksworth – however they do so without Stephen Wright and Dave Gilbert.

There is a little added spice to this fixture as the visitors have re-signed former player Eddie Wood from Ryhope.

Elsewhere Paul Bentham replaces the unavailable Mark Campbell for Bill Quay’s match at an unchanged Dawdon, while Adam Maddison and David Laidler come into Peterlee’s starting line-up for the game at Easington to replace Michael Buckingham and David Almond.