BOLDON will be going for broke in their efforts to retain the Durham Senior League crown.
With 12 points to make up on leaders Kimblesworth and just two matches remaining, Boldon skipper Chris Ellison will be batting first in both games if the opportunity arises.
That could be their making or their downfall, but it is a gamble which has to be taken.
Boldon entertain South Hetton today and if they do have first go and then fail to bowl Hetton out then Kimblesworth could have the title all but wrapped up come this evening.
However, if they secure victory, the pressure could all be on the new boys in next week’s final matches.
One piece of bad news for Boldon is the fact leading all-rounder Nick Sampson-Barnes will not be available to them for either game after returning to his navy duties.
They bring in Gareth Smith as replacement against a Hetton team which is at full strength.
Kimblesworth are at Felling, where the home side will be missing the holidaying Phil Taylor - they draft in Mike Malthouse.
Kimblesworth's Mike Fishwick should play – he had previously been ruled out for the season with a hand injury.
Bottom club Philadelphia are at third-placed Burnmoor, who expect to have Jimmy Daley playing, although Graham Stoker misses out.
For once, Phili have a full squad to choose from with the return of Stephen Robinson and Adam McGuire.
Durham City are just a point above Phili and have home advantage against a Castle Eden team which welcomes back Keith Bailey.
City include 15 year-old batter Matthew Whaley alongside the returning Nick Howe as they try to stay out of the bottom spot, although following the decision of DSL clubs that there will be no relegation in 2011 the ultimate worry has been removed.
With the Durham County League finishing last Monday, Esh Winning are celebrating after winning the championship for the third time in seven years. They achieved a notable double with their second string also winning the B Division title – the first time both sides have succeeded in the same year since they joined the league.
However, they will not be following the lead of last year’s champions Kimblesworth, in applying for promotion, one of the primary reasons being that they are happy with the format of cricket they play and are not keen on the time based game used at the higher level.
Boldon CA’s maximum-points victory in last week’s rain-riddled programme has ensured an enthralling end to the Durham Coast League season, the win taking them to within three points of leaders Seaham Park.
However, Park still have matters in their own hands following a dramatic ending to their own game when skipper Mike McNicholas was dropped on the very last ball against Ryhope.
It was arguably the most crucial spill of a weather-beaten weekend as the dropped catch meant Park salvaged a draw instead of losingand the extra five points kept their noses just in front.
On such moments titles can turn, and the Park entertain Silksworth with a full side in the field.
The Silks are missing several players through work and injuries, although they are boosted by the unexpected return to action of Michael Nicholson – who was expected to miss the rest of the campaign due to injury.
Boldon’s aim is to go for maximum points in both remaining games and see what happens.
They begin at Bill Quay this afternoon, not the easiest place to pick up a result, particularly as the Albion are at full strength and seeking a powerful end to their own season. Skipper Gary Hewitt is back for CA.
Seaham Harbour play at Ryhope where their hosts have to reckon without suspended skipper Micky Thorpe - Lee Gilbert stands in as captain. Harbour will be missing Benidorm-bound Stuart Lacey and Neil McKinney and draft in Michael Agar and Nathan Corkhill.
