Local cricket round-up

EVEN though the title race in the Dukes North-East Premier League is becoming more intriguing by the week as Chester-le-Street continue to chip away at South North’s lead, many eyes will be on the opposite end of the table today.

Bottom club Stockton take on fierce local rivals Norton in a battle that has much more than local pride hanging on it.

Stockton, anchored in the relegation slot, seek a first win of the season to boost their campaign and believe that the recent form of Sri Lankan Malintha Gajanayake and Durham man Karl Turner will inspire them to better things.

Chris Parr returns for the Grangefield outfit, while Mike Ward stands in for injured keeper Harry Anderson.

Norton draft Nick Thomas into their team.

South North have demonstrated some signs of slipping in recent weeks with elimination from both the league and national cups, and they will be hoping for better things with the return of Richard Brook and Adam Cragg for the visit of Newcastle.

Form side Chester-le-Street take a full strength squad to play Sunderland.

Ryton travel to take on Lintz in a Wellstream NTSL relegation showdown, expecting Ben Harmison to feature in a line-up that also includes Jonny O’Neill, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, and new father Andy Sutton.

The home team are missing Ryan McVitie, but old warhorse Graeme Clennell and Michael Christie are available again.

It’s third versus second at Longhirst Hall as surprise package Morpeth tackle Shotley Bridge. Both are unchanged as they strive to stay in touch with runaway leaders Swalwell who tackle Percy Main.

The return to form of Hetton Lyons could not have come at a more inopportune time for Seaham Harbour as the Warmseal Durham Senior League’s bottom club prepares for the visit of the championship contenders.

And they have a few absentees for the game with Simon Brown and David Leslie on holiday and Nigel Gleghorn unavailable. Stephen Sennett will play, and Adam Young and Adam Fairley earn promotion after impressing in the seconds. Paul Riddle has recovered from injury and returns for the Lyons.

The team just above the relegation slot, Marsden, also have a tough fixture against title chasers, with Whitburn their visitors. They go into the match without David Ditchburn and Martin Fearon, and hand a chance to swing bowler Tony Sawyers and batsman Bradley Skinner.

Whitburn will be without Ross Carty, but both Gary Ventress and Tony Greaves return.

Readers Durham County League leaders Shildon face two season defining matches in the next eight days.

First they tackle secondplaced Kimblesworth this afternoon, and then take on Willington next week. These three teams boast the only remaining unbeaten records in the league, and all are at full strength today when Willington entertain Tudhoe.

New signing Steve Hutchinson makes his debut for Mainsforth at home to a Crook side missing the holidaying Danny Wilkinson, and Paul Chivers is back in the Esh Winning team who travel to Ushaw Moor where skipper Stephen Hancock is unavailable.

Boldon CA parade two new signings in their 3D Durham Coast League match at home to Easington. Former players David Tate and Gary Hewit return after several years absence.

And Dawdon have persuaded former skipper Bob Stephenson to return to the game he left five years ago, and he will debut against leaders Castle Eden.

Current Dawdon captain Cavin McNicholas returns from honeymoon to lead the side which also welcomes back Kevin Cahill. The table toppers will be missing captain John Spellman and Keith Bailey.