Having risen to the top of a forever changing DCL Division One table for the first time this season, unbeaten Esh Winning look as though they might be the side to hang on to the number one ranking.

Prior to Esh taking over, Durham City, Castle Eden and Dawdon had reached the summit in the last three weeks, but now the baton has been passed on again the challenge for the other teams is to ensure the new leaders don’t disappear into the distance with it.

Esh become the latest to defend the ranking when they entertain Durham City who, since their brief spell in the limelight, have lost two and drawn one, last week’s struggles against Castle Eden coming against the backdrop of depleted playing resources.

They are not much better off today as they expect to put out the same team unless Scott Steel is released by the Academy. Esh have to cope without opening bowlers Paul Chivers and Jonathan Hodgson.

But no side will be depleted as much as Castle Eden where the second-placed home team face a major test against third-placed Dawdon. The nuptials of Dean Langridge, allied to a couple of holiday commitments, means Castle will be missing seven first team players, amongst them skipper Keith Bailey. Alan Unsworth returns to captain a very young side.

Dawdon have just one absentee, ironically their close-season signing from Castle, Richard Ede, another attending the wedding. Mark Ewart is back from his holidays so slots into the vacated place.

Mainsforth are the other unbeaten side, quietly edging their way towards the leading group and now stand just 15 points from the summit. They have Rob Chismon replacing Curtis Bihari in a full strength line-up to face in-form Crook Town who are another side who have been on the up. Town include Steve Chapman as he has a week off from his tour duties, and also back is Lee Formosa.

It’s another double-header in Division Two, although runaway leaders Seaham Park have just the one match, today’s home meeting with Langley Park. Seaham will have Dave Hanson back to skipper the side while Langley have to reckon without Gareth Brixton, so Liam Smith is handed an opportunity.

Given that Seaham are 61 points ahead of Burnopfield in second, who face a trip to the team one point and one place below them in third, Ryhope, then Park could still come out of the weekend with their significant advantage intact, and one game in hand on their rivals.

Shotley Bridge’s hot streak in the NTSL should continue as they travel to relegation-threatened Ponteland.

Bridge go into the game on the back of five straight wins, the best of any team over the same match span, and with their hosts having lost seven of their 11 matches, including the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season when Shotley plundered an eye-watering 356-6 before eventually winning by a 180 runs, the odds on an upset are extremely long. Ryan Pringle won’t play in this one, but Graham Angus is back to replace Stefan Dabrowski.

Leaders Swalwell defeated Percy Main by an even more emphatic 190 runs back in April, but since then the Main men have been doing well enough, and following three successive wins they are now up to fourth and have home advantage for the return. Guy Saxton is back for the leaders.