South North are yet again the team to beat

11:06am Friday 25th April 2008

THE big question is a simple one - who can stop the South Northumberland juggernaut?

On the last day of the 2007 campaign it looked as though their stupendous run of championship successes was about to come to an end, but in the most staggering of finishes Sunderland contrived to miss out on the title by a single run, handing South North a phenomenal fifth consecutive title.

And it is likely that these two sides will again feature prominently in this years race.

Ominously, the champions squad is the same as last year with the added safety valve that Nicky Peng will play when needed.

Skipper John Graham insists that despite doing the double last time out his side didn't play as well as they could, which has led to more intense preparation this time.

Losing Marc Symington to Norton was a blow to Sunderland's 2008 aspirations, and with brother Craig following him out of the door and Simon Brown retiring there was a hole to plug.

But the capture of Ashley Thorpe from Whitburn and Stewart Walker from Hetton Lyons is a massive boost - the pair rode high in both the batting and bowling averages in the Durham Senior League in 2007.

A further useful acquisition is that of Chris Rushworth from Hylton - the leading wicket taker in the Durham County League last year and with Shahid Nazir back Sunderland will have plenty of firepower.

Another club with high hopes are Chester-le-Street who believe their well balanced side will be amongst the challengers.

Simon Birtwistle, fifth in the list of all time NEPL run makers, has joined from Benwell Hill and overseas amateur Ty Hopes, an Australian leg-spinner from Perth, is another newcomer.

The Cestrian's Durham players are Luke Evans and Graham Onions.

The Durham Academy have a younger squad than normal but academy manager John Windows is looking forward to his young charges earning their spurs, and believes he has strength in both the batting and seam bowling departments.

Wooden spoonists Stockton have recruited South African Brendon Adams, who is captain of Boland in his home country.

Former Yorkshire Academy player Harry Anderson has also joined to offset the loss of Richard Thomas, and the Durham attachment is Karl Turner.

Perennial strugglers Norton have a stronger squad and are confident that they can become a top half side - Marc Symington has returned home, Peter Howells will keep wicket and 28 yearold Kenny Gresham has come out of premature retirement.

Added to this is new pro Chanaka Wijesinghe who was the third highest first-class run scorer this winter in Sri Lanka, and also bowls a bit of off-spin.

Durham's Garry Park continues.

South Shields were happy with their first season in the League, although they are looking for more consistency. They stormed out of the blocks last year, then dipped considerably before coming back to form and mid-table respectability.

The welcome return of Jonny Wightman has delighted Shields followers and it is expected he will form a potent spearhead with Matthew Muchall.

Western Australian Geoff Cullen, brother of former Shields batsman Lyndsay, will be the overseas player, and ex club junior, Paul Muchall, is the Durham man.

Another Australian, allrounder Grant Lindsey from Victoria, is heading for Tynemouth.

Skipper Graeme Hallam will also be able to call upon either Gareth Breese or Moneeb Iqbal as their Durham contracted player.

Gateshead Fell have lost Nicky Phillips, but 22-year-old South African Martin Bekker has been recruited.

The young star already has some impressive first-class credentials, and averages 40 at the top level. Pete Towner is the new skipper and he will have either Will Gidman or Callum Thorp as his Durham choice.

Blaydon, who finished a creditable third last time, have brought in wicketkeeper Graham Martin from Hetton Lyons, offspinner Jon Malkin from Castle Eden and James Baverstock a batsman from Perth in Australia, but they will miss Peter Howells who has joined Norton. Graeme Bridge will pro and Ben Harmison and Mark Davies were the allocated Durham choice, although it is now understood that Harmison has signed for Ashington in the NTSL.

South African Sean Adair, who plays for Eastern Provinces, is the new Newcastle professional, Matt Hynd captains and will have Gordon Muchall or Mark Stoneman as his County players.

Another South African, Rob Frylink from Durban, has an impressive first-class pedigree and is expected to bring firepower with both bat and ball to Benwell Hill, who will be celebrating their 125th anniversary. Their contracted players are Paul Wiseman and Uzair Mahomed.

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