Durham Leagues

Jun 21 2008 The Journal

BOLDON take on Philadelphia today in a game crucial to both teams if they are to realise their ambitions of becoming top four sides in the Warmseal Durham Senior League.

Boldon have had to play the majority of this campaign without the influential Phil Shakespeare to spearhead their attack because of injury, and their lack of a cutting edge as a result is reflected in the fact they jointly head the table for the most number of draws.

Phil will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Nick Jones is also missing and Michael Turnbull steps up. Philadelphia have one change – Neil Mulvaney is unavailable and is replaced by 16-year-old Matthew Haswell, an off-spinner and batsman who has been doing well in the seconds.

South Hetton are the other side in the division to have been involved in five draws and they need to start converting some of these into victories if they are not to get dragged into a relegation dogfight. Felling are their visitors today but the hosts will be missing glove-man Gary Burlinson. Skipper Shaun Bradbury will do the keeping honours and Alan Curl is drafted in. Felling miss Barry Norman, Phil Taylor replacing him.

Hetton Lyons are now in second place after being deposed as leaders last week by Burnmoor. The gap is negligible at two points and the Lyons will be looking to their home match with Horden this afternoon to keep the pressure on.

Whitburn take on bottom club Durham, Eden Elstob and Gary Ventress are back in the home line-up, although Neil Johnson is unavailable. For City skipper Mike Elliott is expected to return to the fray after being sidelined by a back injury.

Burnmoor have Barry Dews back in their side to face Marsden, but Jimmy Daley is out with a thumb injury. In today’s remaining game Eppleton entertain Seaham Harbour.

It’s all systems go in the Readers Durham County League with a double dose of fixtures.

Today’s eye-catcher is undoubtedly the game at Tudhoe where leaders Kimblesworth are the visitors. The home side are currently level with them on points at the top. Both teams are likely to be unchanged.

Third-placed Shildon face a tricky trip to Ushaw Moor and both are at full strength. Crook go to Brandon today in their only game of the weekend, and they will be missing Irish youth international Andy O’Prey. Lee Formosa steps in. For Esh Winning, Paul Raynor returns for both home games which start today against Hylton, with Langley Park visiting tomorrow when Graham Hurst is once again hauled from retirement in place of the unavailable Stephen Jackson.

Silksworth go into the 3D Durham Coast League Andrew Dixon cup final in the rather unusual position for finalists of being at the bottom of the league standings.

Their cup form has been in stark contrast to their efforts in the league but they will be hoping that it is the former that surfaces when they take on Washington at Murton tomorrow.

Their hopes have been boosted by the return of key batsman Paul Smailes and the recovery from a hamstring injury of David Nield.

Washington also have a full squad to pick from.

They took the precautionary step of resting professional Stephen Brooke last week to ensure his knee problem was given every chance to clear up, and he is back in the side.

The big attraction in today’s league programme is the clash at Castle Eden where leaders Ryhope are the visitors. John Thompson returns for the hosts after missing last week, and Ryhope have one change with Craig McGrath replacing Phil Bennett.

CHRIS WEST