Readers Durham County League: Evenwood have the opportunity to pull further away from their rivals Kimblesworth, who have a free day.

Currently only eight points separate the pair in what is developing into a two-horse race for the championship following Tudhoe's disappointing results last weekend.

Evenwood, who host Langley Park, will be without captain Paul Watson and the side will be led by Neil Teasdale.

"I am pleased that we are in front and obviously victory today would give us an additional cushion," said Watson before he jetted for a holiday which will cause him to miss next week's crunch game at Kimblesworth.

"We enjoyed a very successful double last weekend and so too did Kimblesworth, but Tudhoe lost and had their second match rained off. That was bad luck for them but our good fortune," added Watson.

Langley Park, second from bottom, have the ability to make big totals as they have proved on more than one occasion this season, yet they have managed just two victories in 13 attempts.

They show two changes to their line-up with Greg Coates and Malcolm Bamford taking over from Phil Daughtery and Brian Robinson.

Tudhoe can reduce the gap on second top Kimblesworth to just five points if they win at Willington, who by the high standards they have set in recent years, are having a disappointing season.

It is all change for Mainsforth at Esh Winning where no fewer than five players are unavailable.

Professional Robert Chismon, Craig Dargue, Gavin Peat, Chris Hardwick and Paul Purcell, who has a broken foot, are all sidelined. They are replaced by Craig Dowson, Ian Thompson, David Farry, David Williams and Danny Hooper.

Stalwart John Irvine, who would probably have played, is suffering with injury to his ribs sustained while playing for the second XI last weekend.

Esh Winning, in fourth position, enjoy the luxury of being able to field their first choice line-up for the first time this season.

Ushaw Moor, winners over Annfield Plain in the Greg McCrory Cup in midweek when Tenito Willett again showed form, go to Brandon with Stephen Hancock and Brendan Jackson coming in for skipper Andy Metcalfe and David Horrocks. Brandon, hoping to end the season in the top four, are unchanged as they continue to enjoy an improved season.

Crook Town will hope to build on their outstanding performance last weekend when they have home advantage over Shildon, who have recently added to their squad but who have yet to taste success.

Andrew Burgess and Philip Walker line up for Crook, taking over from Craig Westgarth and Paul Moralee. The home side will be hoping for more of the same from Allen March, who was in good form with the bat last Saturday.

Shildon are unchanged since Chris Strong is still unavailable.

It is all hands to the pumps for Sedgefield at Etherley where they will be without four of their five first choice bowlers.

Martin Lower, Steve Brodrick, Jonathan Clark and Stephen Flockett are all out replaced by Ryan Boardman, Richard Brown, Richard Heslop and Simon Halliday. On Sunday Sedgefield visit Willington for a rearranged fixture and Lower and James Forster are both named.