STOCKTON'S programme notes for today's North East Premier League match against Whitburn reveal that Durham wanted £10,000 to bring a 50-over cup match to Grangefield Road.

Stockton were keen to stage a Durham fixture as part of their bicentennial celebrations, but felt they couldn't justify the outlay.

“We wouldn't be able to recoup that amount from ticket sales and hospitality,” said club chairman Mark Fletcher. “And in the current climate we can't ask the local council for support.”

It was ten years this week since Durham last took a championship match to an outground, when a pitch inspection committee was convened during the game against Kent at Stockton.

Concerns arose after 15 wickets fell on the first day, but Kent's Justin Kemp thrashed a 70-ball century in the second innings.

The programme notes observe: “Durham escaped a points deduction but the legacy of that week still remains as strong.”

Durham did not subsequently take a game away from Riverside until two years ago, when South Northumberland staged the Royal London Cup match against Warwickshire, just as they will this season on July 27.

The Gosforth-based club are able to recoup the outlay through hospitality in their spacious cricket centre.

Durham continue their RLC programme at home to Worcestershire tomorrow, needing to bounce back from their seven-wicket defeat at Derby on Tuesday.

After making 125 out of Durham's total of 216, Ryan Pringle said: "We were easily a hundred short on that pitch. There was a bit of spin and a little bit of seam movement, but the game's moving forward and you need to be getting 330-plus to be confident of winning games.

“I don't think the pitch did anything untoward. Some of the lads might say there were poor shots on their part, but that's the nature of the white-ball game.”

Durham's defeat was not as severe as the drubbing Yorkshire took from Worcestershire on the same day and they have already experienced a battering of their own this season from the visitors' Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

His 127 in the opening T20 match at Worcester contained seven sixes and there are other very powerful hitters in the line-up in Ross Whiteley and Joe Leach.

*Durham are offering a family season ticket to four Friday evening NatWest T20 Blast matches for £100.

The ticket will offer access for two adults and three juniors, who will be entertained with fireworks, face-painting and a chance to meet the players.

Tickets are available by calling the box office on 0844 499 4466 or visiting the website.