Seven teams still harbouring dreams of glory (From The Northern Echo)

Seven teams still harbouring dreams of glory

8:52am Saturday 9th August 2008 in News

A GREAT end to the season is in prospect with seven teams still harbouring ambitions of winning the title.

Last weekend’s downpour dampened a lot of spirits, but for some the washout of the top of the table game between Kimblesworth and Crook could not have been more fortuitous as it confined the two front runners to a meagre three-point return.

The biggest beneficiaries were Willington, whose professional, New Zealander Sam Wells, did a one-man demolition job on Ushaw Moor to send his team scuttling up to second place, just three points behind Kimblesworth.

The Kiwi had a phenomenal day, hitting 154 and then taking five wickets.

And Willington are hoping for more of the same during the run in, starting with today’s trip to Esh Winning.

Skipper Neil Davies is still out for the visitors and Chris Moore continues to lead the side in his absence, with Dave Whitehead retaining his place.

Given the quality of their facilities many believed that Willington could successfully seek promotion under the new North-East pyramid system if they won the title, but they have confirmed they would be staying put in that eventuality this year.

Esh have slipped to an unaccustomed sixth position, but have a vital game in hand on those above. Graham Hurst comes back into the side, with Paul Raynor dropping out.

Another team in mid-table with a game to spare is Evenwood, and if they go to Kimblesworth and win today they would be serious contenders.

Crook welcome back key players Danny Wilkinson and Jamie Robinson, putting Town at optimum strength for their challenging trip to Tudhoe, where the home team would really put the cat among the championship pigeons if they won.

Bottom club Brandon go to Ushaw Moor minus Dean Crampton and Stephen Parnaby and uncertain who their replacements will be, as their hosts expect to be at full strength.

Etherley entertain Mainsforth, who welcome back Ian Thompson and Nigel Milner, and Hylton travel to Langley Park.

■ Only a major collapse in form stands between Swalwell and their second consecutive Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League title, so thoughts turn to the new North-East pyramid in which clubs can seek promotion, subject to meeting certain criteria, to the NEPL.

Skipper Paul Dumighan is clear in his views on the subject: “At this point in time we are not interested in going into the NEPL, principally because of its playing structure with day-long cricket.

“It’s an excellent league and if they ever reverted to a shorter game we would certainly revisit our position.’’ This week they entertain a Benwell and Walbottle side priming themselves for a Houdini act, after surviving by the skin of their teeth last season.

The champions go into the game at full strength and Benwell, now one point away from the safety zone, also turn out an unchanged line-up.