IT’S the final day of action in the NTSL, and Sacriston stand just one successful performance away from securing their first ever title.
They currently hold an eight-point lead over perennial champions Swalwell, and victory would ensure that they rest the crown from them. But they won’t have things all their own way as they play at Percy Main, a team who have only lost on five occasions to date, and who have already secured fourth place in the table.
Main look like being at full strength, with leading wicket taker Guy Saxton free from suspension, and all-rounder Michael Phillips, along with batters Dave Tweed and James Stannistreet, also back in the home dressing room. Sacriston will have all their big guns out for their date with destiny.
Swalwell have won the last four championships, but they need to combine a win with a Sacriston slip up if they are to make it five in a row. They name an unchanged line-up for their home game against a depleted Morpeth, who are missing four big players – Gary Christie, Ben Harmison, Jonny Foster and Jack Palmer.
There won’t be any nerves at the other end of the table as both Ashington and Newcastle City are already contemplating life in the lower division after having relegation confirmed before the final matches today.
Ashington end their current stint in the top flight with a trip to Shotley Bridge where the home side have Graeme Angus recovered from injury. He replaces Ian Archbold, with Peter Collingwood keeping wicket.
There will be two weakened sides out at Tynedale, where City end their arduous campaign. Home keeper Jamie Crichton is out with a broken hand, and with Tim Raglan, Ben Arden and James Redfern also out Tynedale are scrabbling around for replacements. But so, too, are Newcastle who have yet to determine who will replace their four missing players.
The race to replace the two relegated teams reaches a dramatic climax as three teams vie for the two promotion spots in Division A2. Just four points currently separate Leadgate, Lintz and Consett, with Lintz appearing to have the toughest final-day assignment of the trio with a home game against fourth-placed Ryton.
Leadgate will take the title if they get a 20-point return from their home game against lowly Greenside, while Consett need both the teams above them to drop points if, as expected, they overcome bottom club Cowgate.
And what a finish is in prospect in the Northumberland League where the two title contenders are locked together on the same number of points.
If Blue Flames and Bedlington are still inseparable in points terms at close of play tonight, then the championship will go to the side with the most number of wins, and that will be Blue Flames.
So the Blues boys go into their game at Warkworth knowing that a maximum points win will mean they are the champions. But they will have their work cut out against the reigning champions who will put out a side not dissimilar to the one that earned them success in 2010. The only player missing from the Warkworth line-up will be skipper Doug Potts, who injured his back fielding last week – Adam Hall will captain in his absence.
Flames’ skipper, Keith Brown, knows his team face a hard day: “Warkworth are the champions, and they will want to give a good account of themselves before passing on the honour – they have much the same team as last year so I would say we are the underdogs in this one.” Flames’ only change is the inclusion of Richard Chapman for the unavailable Nick Humble.
Brown regrets that Blue Flames and Bedlington haven’t met this season after both their league matches fell victim to the weather. But that won’t worry the Terriers if they emerge victorious this evening, and they end their campaign with a home game against Corbridge who gave them a real fight in their first league match.
The visitors hope to put out a strong team for this one, although Tristan Douglas, who took six wickets last week, has left for Australia. In addition they have fitness doubts over John Davison and Derek Robinson. Bedlington are at full strength as they go in search of glory.
