Boldon back in the hunt (From The Northern Echo)

Boldon back in the hunt

11:01pm Friday 29th July 2011 in The 3D Durham Coast League

TITLE-HOLDERS Boldon CA have suddenly ramped up the pressure following their win over league leaders Seaham Harbour last week.

That comprehensive victory threw the championship race wide open and there are now a queue of teams jostling to barge their way through.

With seven games left even Dawdon, in seventh, will now feel they are in with a shout.

Boldon's victory pushed them up into third place, 12 points adrift of Harbour.

They have home advantage today against a Silksworth team without, among others, Darren Stoker and Craig Nield, while Michael Waterson's impending marriage counts him out for the next few weeks, and Eddie Wood's ankle injury means he is going to miss the rest of the campaign.

On the plus side, Phil Middlemiss is back and new dad Paul Smailes expects to play. Andy McCord is ruled out for Boldon, so Andy O'Connell earns promotion after impressing in the second team.

Washington are looking to extend a nine-game unbeaten run when they entertain leaders Harbour, while form team Seaham Park lock horns with Bill Quay, who are just four places and 26 points behind them.

After scoring 90 in the seconds last week, Joe Thompson comes into the reckoning for a full-strength Washington, but Harbour will be missing Andy Boal and Jack Lacey. Micky Rich earns a start, while new signing Steve Hutchinson debuts.

The Durham over-50s player has been persuaded to join Seaham's cause for the rest of the season by his colleagues in the county team.

Discounting weather-affected games, Park have rattled off four consecutive victories in an unbeaten run stretching back more than two months, but they'll have to be at their best when they entertain Bill Quay, who have Berwick Hall and Dan Pearson back.

The Park expect to hand a debut to 15-year-old Dale Shaw, who looks a fine prospect, and with Alan Dick and James Ferguson also available, Seaham are at optimum strength.

Dane Wilson makes his long awaited return for Easington, the skipper having hopefully fully recovered from his long-term knee injury.

Another injury victim, Michael Robson, also returns from the treatment table for the game at Murton, who have Ian King, Richie Lowes and Graeme Robson back from holiday.

Two unchanged teams appear at Peterlee, where Hylton are the visitors, and Dawdon select Cavin McNicholas, Anthony Gale and 15-year-old Nathan Newton for the visit of Ryhope.