THERE will be a few tired teams in the Warmseal Durham Senior League by tomorrow night after a hectic spell of three matches in three days has been completed.

For the second time in less than a month clubs are engaged in a double weekend of league fixtures, these being played on the back of a full round of T20 games last night.

New leaders Whitburn have the little matter of a trip to play champions Boldon to contend with tomorrow, but before that they entertain unchanged South Hetton.

Whitburn have no selection problems for either game, and unsurprisingly stick with the side which took them to the top.

Durham City slumped to the foot of the table last week, but they have the chance to make their stay at the bottom a short one with two home games to come.

The glut of games which other clubs face may be in Durham’s favour as they are the only side not participating in the T20 competition.

That means they should be fresher than the opposition in both their league matches, the first of which is against Horden, with Norton following on.

They have the additional boost of being able to include three returning players to put them back to full strength – Mike Elliott and Paul Moralee will play, along with Subhan Christudas who has managed to shake off a back injury.

Horden, whose second match is a home one against South Hetton, have lost Afzal Chougle, who suffered a broken finger while batting last week.

He is likely to be out for two or three weeks, with Anthony Peace taking his place, while Norton are also missing two key players at City – wicketkeeper Lee Dalby and Tinasht Ruswa.

With Brandon sitting out today’s latest round of Readers Durham County League fixtures, the chance is there for the chasing pack to close the yawning 47-point gap which has been opened up by the runaway league leaders.

Nearest challengers Esh Winning should pick up full points as they take on bottom club Ushaw Moor who have lost every match so far. Esh show just the one change for the trip, the unavailable Stuart Hall being replaced by Jon Hodgson.

Crook will have to make do without the services of the talismanic Steve Chapman for the next three weeks as the former Durham man has returned to Australia on business.

Town therefore hand an opportunity to 15 year-old Lewis Formosa, who has been doing well in the second team.

Their visitors Marsden promote Sid Corner in place of the working Chris Summerside.

Willington entertain same-again Shildon, Langley Park are unchanged but hosts Tudhoe are missing Ross Hodgson, while Evenwood play a Mainsforth team which includes Chris Milnthorpe at the expense of Adam Watson.

Hylton have basked in the glow of Durham Coast League leadership for seven days, but now it is time to put their credentials on the line when they make the short trip ‘over the hill’ to take on local rivals Boldon CA.

CA’s only doubt is over the fitness of Lee Jackson who dislocated his finger and split the webbing of his hand last week.

Hylton show just one change with the welcome return of Gavin Barnes to bolster their attack.

Bill Quay have Mattie Dench and Greg Arundel back in their side at the expense of Luke Davidson and Peter Elwell, while opponents Peterlee also show two changes with Billy Willett and Paul Griffith replacing the unavailable Andrew and David Laidler.

Seaham Park play Washington in a dress rehearsal for the Andrew Dixon Cup final, for which they both qualified in midweek.

The visitors have an injury worry over Darren Hickey, although skipper Dan Talbot plays, while Anthony Laidler stands in for Alan Dick in the home dressing room.

Dawdon entertain Seaham Harbour, who are the league’s current form team with three successive victories under their belt.