Leading quartet battle it out for league supremacy

9:21am Saturday 7th June 2008

FOLLOWING last Sunday's aborted programme, and wins for the leading sides the previous day, there is a superb set of fixtures to look forward to today in the 3D Durham Coast League as the top four go head to head.

Second-placed Ryhope entertain fourth-placed Seaham Park, both teams having four wins to their credit so far, and both holding a game in hand over leaders Murton. The home team have a number of absentees with Chris Errington completing a football coaching course and Andy Pettey attending a wedding. Adam Swansbury and Glyn Lamb are their replacements.

Seaham Park had a major headache last week with so many people unavailable, but they have a couple back this week, with Andrew Worthy returning and Andrew Docherty having served his suspension. David Moorhead is holidaying though, and Anthony Ord returns to the seconds.

Old foes Castle Eden and Murton lock horns with both sides jealously protecting unbeaten records. The Castle, currently lying third, are yet again unchanged for the visit of champions and current leaders Murton.

Bottom club Silksworth have lost five games out of seven so far, and with the advent of the new North-East pyramid system this season they will be anxious to move away from the danger zone as quickly as possible. The first opportunity comes with their home game against Washington today and they are strengthened by the return of Craig Nield and Chris Pringle who come in for Bill Hedgeley and Glen Shaw.

The two sides meet again tomorrow in the Horner Cup so Silksworth are viewing the weekend as a mini Test match'. Washington, showing improved form of late, have Nick Thompson back from holiday, although they have a doubt about Trevor Hindmarsh who is still waiting to become a father after a false alarm last weekend.

Bill Quay, boosted by their performance last week when they tasted victory for the first time, and also by the not inconsiderable benefit of having a free day when all the others had to watch the rain belting down rather than play cricket, look to make it two in a row as they entertain Peterlee.

Quay have Aaron Farrell returning, and he will take the place of Craig Falcus who is on holiday. Peterlee hope to be at full strength as they strive for their second win of the season.

Whilst Dawdon lost their only game of last weekend at Castle Eden, they did so by the smallest of margins and there were enough positives to suggest better times are just around the corner.

Certainly new signing Mark Ewart impressed on debut and he is likely to be influential in the rest of the season. Boldon CA are Dawdon's visitors this week and they put out the same side as last Sunday.

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