Esh Winning travel to relegation-threatened Horden today bidding to end a sequence of four consecutive draws and boost their title hopes.

Despite winning just two of their ten Durham Cricket League games to date unbeaten Esh are only 11 points adrift of leaders Dawdon as their other eight matches have ended mostly in dominant draws in which they have picked up a decent points return.

Nevertheless, the frustration of Esh skipper Dave Lawlor with the current system is palpable as he believes the majority of opponents set out from ball one to ‘achieve’ a draw against his side, and the current format allows most of them to succeed.

On current rankings Esh should be looking forward to victory at Horden given that their opponents are languishing in one of the relegation places, but they have lost just once all summer, are on a five-game unbeaten run, and are the other draw specialists in the division, having also been involved in eight stalemates.

Further cause for Horden optimism is the promising start made by new overseas signing Akshay Jambhekar who was thrown straight into last weekend’s double header, and came out having impressed in positive draws against good opponents in Philadelphia and Castle Eden.

Jambhekar claimed a five-wicket haul, and also scored runs in both matches. Esh go into the game with opening bowler Jon Hodgson back in harness, their only concern being over the fitness of Paul Chivers who has a slight side strain.

Durham City went into last weekend as leaders, but came out in fifth spot, and they have some major selection problems ahead of their home match against Castle Eden. As well as having to reckon without the services of six players due to a variety of commitments, it looks like they have lost Indian Kevin Sukumar for at least a month because of a knee injury.

Fortunately Danni Hazell, Andy and Stephen Howson, and Callum Steel are all back in the reckoning. Castle travel with Phil Wimpenny and Dean Langridge in their ranks again, although Alan Unsworth is on holiday.

Gary Cummings is sidelined by a calf strain and misses Mainsforth’s match at Bill Quay where a similar injury deprives the home team of the services of Chris Little, and new leaders Dawdon have to reckon without Mark Ewart, but have David Coates back when they play a Philadelphia side missing Aussie Ashley Chilcott and Paul Hollingshead.

Last weekend’s NTSL victory by Shotley Bridge over Swalwell breathed needed life into the title race, and with just ten points now separating the leading pair it’s all to play for as the season reaches the halfway point today.

Bridge face an immediate examination of their title chasing credentials when they go to Lanchester who can still count themselves as one of the top half dozen teams in with a chance of glory. Shotley are waiting to learn of the availability of Ryan Pringle, but there is one definite change with Graham Angus out and Gary Johnson back. Lanchester are able to include the returning Haydn Petch.

Swalwell are missing leading bowler Guy Saxton so bring in Michael Shotton for the trip to relegation-threatened Ponteland.