News & Reports
Pace-setters could be affected by key exits
A NEW season and a new sponsor
- the Durham Senior League
are delighted to unveil new supporter,
Warmseal.
The new sponsors are
renowned for providing warmth
and comfort, but the real heat
may be felt in the middle this season
as there is every indication of
a much more evenly contested
league in 2008.
Last year Burnmoor and Whitburn
were so far ahead of the rest
the championship had become a
two-horse race by the middle of
the summer.
But both have lost key players
and with the rest appearing to
have recruited well there is much
anticipation that others will poke
their noses into the private party.
Champions Burnmoor have to
recover from the blow that kingpin
Brett Pelser will not be with
them, and with Neil Young moving
to South Hetton and Alex
Ludlow unlikely to be able to play
every week, they are relieved to
welcome Gary Lancaster back
from Marsden, and Jimmy Daley
from Whitburn.
Whitburn have lost two big
players in Daley and Ashley
Thorpe who is now on Sunderland's
books, but they have Lindsay
Cullen, an Australian allrounder.
So who among last year's chasing
pack is likely to mount a challenge?
Philadelphia have
brought in David Rutherford as
professional, a major force for
champions Swalwell in the NTSL
last season.
Phili have another couple of
useful additions - Steve Errington,
another all-rounder from
Hetton Lyons, and former
Durham Academy bowler Luke
Anderson. Michael Walker has
settled on Horden, and Amir Sohail
and Thomas Raine have
moved to Coast League clubs.
Hetton Lyons have turned to
Sri Lanka for Surappulige Dilan
Chamikara Malinga. With 146
top-flight wickets to his name
this fast medium performer
promises to be a handful. Gone
are Errington, Stewart Walker
and Graham Martin - in come
Liam Mallaburn from Eppleton,
Gary Humphries from East Rainton,
Kieran Waterson and Jarvis
Clay.
Horden expectations are high.
A fully fit Adrian Hedley can
have a dramatic effect on the
side, and with new team-mates
Michael Walker from Phili, Robbie
Atherton and Jon Minnis
from Ryhope and keeper David
Mole from Blackhall there is a
fresh feel to the side.
Jonny Wightman's return to
Shields is a blow to Boldon, but
West Indian Nelon Pascall could
lift spirits. The Grenadian made
his first-class debut for Windward
Islands in January, and
bowls quick. Gareth Smith is fit
again to bowl, and with Lee Jackson
joining from Boldon CA and
Richard Potter available towards
the end of May a top three finish
is anticipated.
Elton Chigumbura has played
six Tests for Zimbabwe, bowls at
140km per hour, and will add
spice to an Eppleton side that
have lost Mallaburn and seen Elliott
Alexander retire. New pace
bowler Karl Watson should get
the chance to shine.
South Hetton continue their
youth policy, Sean Bradbury
skippering a side that sees ex
club junior Neil Young returning
from Burnmoor, and Martin
Stephenson coming in from Dawdon.
But John Leslie has moved
to Seaham Harbour who are desperate
for a change of fortunes.
Harbour's compatriots at the
foot of the table last year, Felling,
have recruited heavily. Anthony
Trotter from Gateshead Fell
heads an influx of six players.
Brian Stone has retired as captain
of Durham City, the mantle
taken on by Mike Elliott. Opening
bowler Mark Woodhead
comes in as pro, and keeper
Danny Moult, is also new after
moving into the area.
Andrew Robson is retained as
professional at Marsden, and he
is joined by Greg Arundel from
Murton and Michael Gandy.
11:13am Friday 25th April 2008
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