The Readers Durham County League: Last season the championship was not decided until the final minutes of the last day when any one of four teams could have finished in pole position - this year's contest could be just as exciting.

Evenwood aim to clinch the title for a third successive season but will have to do so without Craig Rutherford, who has led them for the last two years.

"I am gutted but it looks as if I will possibly miss the full season," said Rutherford who is struggling with an injury.

He has stood down as captain in favour of Paul Watson who will have the successful West Indian Deighton Butler in his ranks. Last year, Butler averaged in excess of 50 runs and took almost 50 wickets.

Kimblesworth finished second and if anything are stronger this time. A major signing is Australian Gavin Swan who is eligible as an amateur. He took 52 wickets for Philadelphia in the ECB Premier League two years ago and it is no secret that Bunker Hill officials would have liked him to return.

Michael Fishwick, who had to return to Australia and missed a number of games at the end of last season, is again available and the pro is another Aussie. Brendan Clancy topped the averages in 2003 at 76.0 after scoring 684 runs and also picked up 45 wickets.

It is as you were at Tudhoe who have re-engaged Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Anwar.

His bowling, and the magnificent batting exploits of Simon Davies, were major factors in Tudhoe finishing joint second. Davies scored a phenomenal 1,248 runs averaging 73.4.

Ambitious Willington, who tomorrow officially open their new club house when former Durham CCC chairman Don Robson will be the principal guest, have made tentative enquiries to join the Federation Special Durham Senior League.

"It is no secret that we are ambitious and we have been in touch. There could be some developments," said official Steve Barker who reports that Kym Lawrence from Western Australia is the new professional.

He is a pace bowler and will be joined in the attack by Paul Chivers, who has been signed from Chester le Street.

A blow to the chances of Willington is the news that captain Steve Donnelly will be out for the season after breaking a leg in a parachute accident. Gary Cummings takes over as skipper.

Ushaw Moor have brought in all-rounder Teneto Willis to spearhead their campaign under new skipper Darren Punshon.

Crook Town, once one of the most successful clubs, have fallen on hard times and last season finished second from bottom. In an effort to improve their fortunes they have turned to former player Stephen Ball as pro.

The experienced all-rounder could be just the type of player they need and, with Ian Greener and Lee Holloway back in the fold, they will provide stiffer opposition than last year.

Whether Shildon can emulate Crook remains to be seen. They have been in the doldrums for too long and last season failed to taste victory on a single occasion, losing 23 of their 24 games.

They have engaged young Australian Cameron Pearce who will open the attack and bat early order. Drew Kirtley has joined from Etherley and Lee Douthwaite will again lead the team, but Trevor Henderson has put his bat away after 21 years and will now umpire.

Jim Allenby is expected to score a lot of runs for Brandon after starring for Philadelphia in the last two seasons. Another boost to their batting strength is the return from Benwell Hill of Steve Dunsford, who will lead the side.

In their continuing effort to promote the club, Brandon have registered a side in the Hetton Lyons Sunday League.

Indian all-rounder Rakesh Dhurv is the new pro with Esh Winning. Left-arm spinners are usually successful and Esh are hopeful that he will claim an abundance of wickets.

John Rippon has decided not to play this year but Esh give a big welcome to the returning Neil Arrowsmith, who missed all last season with a back problem. David Watson has taken over as captain.

Yasas Tillakaratne, who scored 740 runs in 2003, is back for another spell with Etherley who have a new captain in former Bishop Auckland player Colin Barker. Contrary to reports, Karl McGregor is staying with the club.

Stephan Swanepoel, five games for Namibia in the World Cup, is an exciting addition to the Sedgefield line-up.

"Stephan is 22 and comes highly rated after playing against England, Australia, Pakistan, India and Zimbabwe. He played for Chessington in Surrey two years ago and they formed a high opinion of him," enthused skipper Michael Ridley.

Langley Park, again captained by David Gladstone, have Australian batsman Brad Jose while Mainsforth have retained Robert Chismon and David Fishburn, who started as a junior, will lead the team.

One-club man Arthur Willoughby and John Irvine, both 55, will continue to play for the club as the latter has done for 31 years since moving from Castle Eden.