Cup final for Tudhoe and Esh (From The Northern Echo)

Cup final for Tudhoe and Esh

9:54am Saturday 17th July 2010 in News

TUDHOE defend their Hunter Cummings Memorial Trophy tomorrow when they entertain Esh Winning in the Durham County League Cup final.

The holders expect to be at full-strength, but so too will be the visitors who have three players returning - Ryan Moralee (injury), John Charles Gott (illness) and Mark Davidson (work) all back in the fold with remarkably good timing.

In today’s round of league matches leaders Kimblesworth could be tested at Crook, although the home side will be missing Chris Hirst, but Evenwood and Esh, joint second, look to be 20 point bankers.

Evenwood, skippered by James Alderson in Chris Coatsworth’s absence, have Matt McConnell back from holiday for their home game against struggling Shildon who include Michael Lumley, as Esh go to bottom club Etherley.

It’s also cup time in the NTSL with Annfield Plain hosting the league finals tomorrow.

Preceded by the B Division final at midday, the A Division final starts at 4pm and features Lanchester and Shotley Bridge, the former looking for their first victory in the competition.

For Shotley the final will be a welcome diversion from the serious business of trying to keep their league noses in front of Swalwell.

This afternoon they entertain Annfield Plain, both teams able to turn out settled sides. Unchanged Swalwell go to Leadgate who have skipper Davey Richardson back.

Marsden are making a big play for safety in the Durham Senior League. Stunned by the loss of skipper Chris Mann to injury for the rest of the season, and their slump to the bottom of the league, they parade a raft of new faces this afternoon at South Hetton.

In come Sri Lankan Indika Senaratne, an opening bat and off-spinner with first class experience, and former players Graham Burn and Jason Crews who have answered the call to arms. Next week opening bowler Lee Auty also returns to the fold.

The Durham Coast League title race is hotting up with 12 points separating the top three.

Leaders Bill Quay are unchanged for their home match with Dawdon and they will be hoping Boldon CA and Seaham Harbour slug each other to a standstill as they go head to head.

David Tate is out of the Boldon line-up, Carl Purvis drafted in as his replacement, and the Harbour will be missing Neville Gustard with Stephen Sennett called up.