Northern Rock NE Premier League

May 24 2008 by Chris West, The Journal

BENWELL Hill entertain Sunderland today in a significant game for both sides as they strive to put indifferent starts to their 2008 campaigns behind them.

Both sides have only won one league match to date and languish in the bottom half of the table. Hill are back to full strength for this one with Mark Wright returning to replace Rubin Giffin, although Giffin does return in place of Wright for Monday’s match at Norton.

Sunderland believe better times are around the corner after securing a replacement professional for the injured Shahid Nazir. Mohammad Akram played his first games last weekend as deputy for Nazir who is now recuperating following a knee operation that will sideline him for a month.

Akram comes highly recommended – he played nine Tests for Pakistan and has also played for four county teams, latterly Surrey. With over 400 first-class wickets to his name he will prove a more than capable stand-in. However, Alan Mustard is unavailable for today’s game but returns on Monday when Blaydon visit Ashbrooke.

South Northumberland have shown no signs of slipping up yet as they pursue a sixth successive title. They are at Blaydon today and entertain South Shields on Monday. Brendan Ford’s hamstring is still causing bother so Nicky Peng continues to deputise, and Richard Brook misses the first game of the weekend, so 16-year-old John Harbottle will make his first-team debut.

Newcastle can only gaze on South North’s achievements with envy at the moment as they hover uncomfortably close to the relegation zone after losing their first four matches. There is no respite as they contemplate some tough games to come over the Bank Holiday.

They will not be comforted by the news that today’s opponents Tynemouth are strengthened by the return of Iain Purdy, John Callaghan and Moneeb Iqbal.

Monday involves a trip to Ropery Lane to play Chester-le-Street and the boys from Jesmond will have to do without Matt Hynd who misses both matches.

Gateshead Fell are only one place and four points behind Newcastle and at least the only way they can go is up. They have two home games over the weekend to try and turn their season round – in the first they play Norton, then they entertain Durham Academy. At least they have the welcome news that Steven Devenport and Danny Clark will be in their sides.

John Coxon remains the only injury doubt for Chester-le-Street as they prepare for an away game at South Shields this morning, while Shields will pick from a squad of 12 for a weekend in which they play the current top two. Mike Fishwick is included in the squad as is young batting star Oliver Stedman.

The batting form of Durham Academy’s Andrew Smith is attracting lavish praise from all quarters and with almost 300 runs from his last two league knocks, and 400 in all, he is certainly in a rich vein of form. Smith will look to add to his imposing tally at the Racecourse today against Stockton.

CHRIS WEST