ECB North East Premier League
May 31 2008 The Journal
LAST Monday the landscape changed a little in the Northern Rock North East Premier League when champions South Northumberland crashed to their first defeat of the season and saw their lead at the top cut to six points.
The title-holders make the short trip to Jesmond this morning and, as ever, are quite philosophical about things. Skipper John Graham said: ‘We played really well to defeat a strong Blaydon side on Saturday with Stephen Humble bowling a fantastic spell against his former club and taking 7-24.
“It was disappointing to follow that performance with a defeat against South Shields, but on the day they deserved their win, although it was a game that could have gone either way in the end. It’s important to take some positives out of the match and the batting form of Jimmy Miller was a plus.’
Miller tops the current NEPL batting lists with an average of 107, and if the champions were able to choose a fixture to get them back into the groove they wouldn’t be looking much further than a game with a Newcastle team who have suffered six straight defeats.
South North are unchanged for the match, while, for the home side, opening bowler Gary Saxton returns from injury, and Rob Farenheim has finished his studies and plays.
Following a run of decent results Sunderland are looking upwards, but face a stern test of their new confidence when they take on a vibrant South Shields outfit still on cloud nine after becoming the first side to topple the champions.
In the game of the day, Shields carry home advantage but they will come up against a Sunderland side who have also had their spirits lifted following the arrival of Mohammad Akram.
The former Pakistan Test player has added some much needed fire to their attack and with the batting also starting to perform, particularly through Ashley Thorpe, the visitors will not be found wanting.
Another team still basking in the glow of a great win are Gateshead Fell.
They turned the form book upside down on Monday when defeating the Durham Academy and have given themselves renewed hope of pulling away from the relegation dogfight.
Today’s encounter at Denton Bank against Benwell Hill is crucial as the sides are locked together in the table on 44 points – just above the dreaded bottom spot.
After a frustrating time against Stockton last Monday Tynemouth will be itching to get back on track this weekend.
And what better surroundings to reignite their title challenge than the Riverside where they take on the Academy.
But they have been hit by an injury blow with Iain Purdy suffering a dislocated finger in the last match, and this may sideline him for up to six weeks.
John Callaghan is also missing but Matthew Brown and Andy Lineham return to the side.
John Coxon’s injury niggle came through a taxing weekend successfully and he will form a key part of a full strength Chester-le-Street line-up for the match at Stockton.
Durham player Garry Park returns to the Norton team for their game at Blaydon.
CHRIS WEST
