EDITOR'S CHOICE NEWS Bargain rail fares branded 'a mirage' Nissan 'production switch of new Micra' Durham victorious in university boat race Cool runnings for cancer charity NEWS IN VIDEO Undercover van to help catch benefit fraudsters Dogs do their bit for charity One man band School garden opens 'Great Escape' veteran visits region RACING PODCAST Racing tips and reports with Graham Orange of Go Racing FORMULA 1 News and Race Reports F1 Blog Circuit Guide Predictions THE HEADLINE GAME * Pit your wits against The Northern Echo and TFM in The Headline Game GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Celebrations as Laura wins Miss Durham competition 2 Pressure off as Gunners and Cats leave worrying to others 3 Keane awaits blessing for spending spree 4 Bargain rail fares branded 'a mirage' 5 Nissan 'production switch of new Micra' 6 Man dies after road accident 7 Mixed reaction to face of North 8 Futures hang in the balance as boss calls a summit meeting Today | 7 Days 1 Election aftermath 2 Miss Durham - The Finalists 3 Wigan keen on Cattermole 4 Gordon Brown 5 Councillors line up for leadership challenge 6 'I've been kicked in the teeth by Labour' 7 Long lay-off for Viduka 8 Anger after women locked in car park 9 Keegan happy to talk 10 Henig elected to leadership role

Comment

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

Print

Email this

Comment

Add your comment

Name:
Email: *
Location:
**
	e.g. 123-123
Comment: Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored. Format Text:
By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
* Your email address will not be displayed ** To avoid register now or login