3D Durham Coast League
Raine returns as Murton aim for a repeat performance
THREE titles out of the last four
have not diminished the appetite
of champions Murton for more
success.
Calvin Stephenson, who was
originally only going to have one
season, is back for his seventh
year as pro, and Tom Raine has
returned after a short spell with
Philadelphia in the DSL. Glen
Riddle has moved to Peterlee and
Lee Gilbert to Ryhope, Alan
Loscombe returns after a year
out.
Murton's closest rivals over the
last four years have been Castle
Eden and they have no newcomers,
although Jon Malkin has
gone to try his luck in the NEPL
with Blaydon after leading the
club bowling averages last term.
Castle have plenty of quality and
youth in the side and expect to be
able to cope with the loss and
maintain their challenge.
Bill Quay have retained the
same personnel and continue
without a professional, although
still expect to be as competitive
as in 2007 when they finished a
creditable third.
Conversely there is little stability
for Boldon CA. There are
uncertainties about Tommy
Nixon, Lee Auty and Gary Frater
have gone to Whiteleas, and Lee
Jackson has signed for Boldon.
With no new signings the club
hope the juniors will fill the void.
Seaham Park have made a crucial
family signing, Ian Hauxwell
from Ryhope joined by his son
Sean who has been playing for
Chester-le-Street. Dave Morton
has moved with work, but efforts
continue to secure the services of
a professional.
There is hope at Ryhope despite
the loss of Hauxwell, Dave
Kennedy's move to Norton, and
Robbie Atherton and Jon Minnis'
transfer to Horden. In come Lee
Gilbert from Murton, and
Stephen Wright from Silksworth.
There are a number of talented
youngsters at Easington and
with another season's experience
under their belts the club expect
to push on.
It is a similar at Dawdon - no
changes but a number of useful
youngsters, including 16-year-old
joint League Player of the Year
Anthony Watson. They have a
new skipper in Cavin McNicholas.
Washington have a new pro,
quick bowler Stephen Brooke
from Durham City, a new skipper,
Michael Thorpe from Ushaw
Moor, and another signing, also
from Durham, Trevor Hindmarsh.
While they will miss Steve
Wright, Silksworth are confident
that skipper Stephen Lobban can
inspire.
Peterlee needed to do something
to revive fortunes after a
disastrous 2007 campaign. Two
consecutive wooden spoons and
the threat of relegation posed by
the new pyramid sees them take
the plunge by engaging their first
pro for a number of years - Glen
Riddle. The spin bowling allrounder
will be supported by the
return of Paul Griffith from Easington.
11:12am Friday 25th April 2008
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