Readers Durham Cricket League

RUNAWAY DCL Division One champions Esh Winning, who are an unassailable 37 points ahead of second-placed Mainsforth going into the final round of fixtures, are still uncertain whether they will be promoted to the NEPL.

Following a ground and facilities inspection by the NEPL to ascertain whether the champions met the minimum criteria for entry, there have been ongoing discussions between the Club and their prospective new league which were due to be concluded before the weekend, with a final decision likely to be announced before the start of today’s play.

If it came down to Esh Winning not meeting criteria then NEPL rules dictate that the runners-up, providing they also meet the minimum criteria, will play-off against the bottom club in the NEPL First Division, which is already known to be South Hetton. If such a match were necessary it would take place on Saturday the 19th September at South Hetton under Banks Salver rules.

Needless to say Mainsforth would be delighted to be handed the opportunity of a play-off, as skipper Andy Allen confirmed. “We’ve had a good season and have won the most games in the league, but Esh are champions on merit, so obviously we can only possibly progress if for some reason they fail the NEPL criteria.

“At the moment we are in the dark as to how things may pan out but hopefully we will get some clarity before our game takes place. All we can do is concentrate on our game against Bill Quay and the rest is entirely in the hands of others.”

Dawdon are just eight points behind Mainsforth and therefore in with a real chance of taking the runners-up spot if results go their way. Their season ends with a trip to Bunker Hill where hosts Philadelphia have Paul Hollinshead and Greg Halliday back to make up a full strength side.

In Division Two promoted Seaham Park need seven points to take the title, and they should have no problems in doing so with their final game at bottom club Houghton who have lost 21 of their 23 matches to date.

In the NTSL a Swalwell win over visitors Ponteland will bring them their eighth title in nine seasons. Shotley Bridge can only hope that the form that has seen Ponteland win five of their last six matches is enough to topple the leaders – if that occurred a Bridge home win against Lanchester would see them crowned, and such an ending would be a fitting way for skipper Peter Collingwood to retire from cricket.