Durham Coast League: A measure of how tight it is at the top can be gauged from the fact that four sides have all lost just once and only 14 points separate leaders Murton from Silksworth.

Today, Murton visit second-placed Castle Eden and there are only four points between the pair.

"It is an extremely tight league this year with Hylton and Silksworth also very much in contention," declared Murton secretary Herbert King.

We moved back into pole position last weekend but the situation could change a number of times before the end of the season."

The chances of the visitors winning for the eighth time are enhanced with the news that Philip Grimwood, Howard Ramshaw and David Scorer are all available.

So too is Calvin Stephenson, who on his day can quickly change the course of a game with either bat or ball.

Castle Eden, who have come on leaps and bounds since they left the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League six years ago, also have three players returning to duty.

Allan Unsworth, Michael Higgin and Gerard Magee will almost certainly strengthen the line-up and a close result is anticipated at the picturesque East Durham ground.

Hylton, surprisingly held to a draw by lowly Seaham Park last Saturday, again start favourites at bottom-of-the-table Houghton but as Seaham proved, the form book can be turned on its head.

Hylton name the same XI but Houghton cannot call upon Andrew Beston or Kim Bowman so Ryan Furnival and Keith Rewcastle are drafted into the side which has still to taste success.

Silksworth have come up on the rails in recent weeks and now pose a real threat to the three sides currently at the top. At Easington, they make a couple of changes with Stephen Lobbin and Anthony Bell replacing Malcolm Nichol and George Bevan, who broke a thumb in last week's match.

After promising much, Ryhope have fallen back to fifth before their home game with Peterlee.

Kris Taylor for Adam Swansbury is the only alteration while Peterlee miss young spinner Michael Buckingham and Mark Simpson as they attempt to maintain their rise up the table.

Seaham Park, buoyed by their battling performance in holding Hylton to a draw last week, expect to be at full strength for the local derby at home to Dawdon.

The visitors are weaker with the continued unavailability of Keith Laws. Kevin Cahill is also absent

Despite losing, Boldon CA were delighted to reach the final of the D and P Andrew Dixon Cup.

It is the first time in several years they have progressed to the last stage of any competition.

Today, they renew their challenge for points at home to Bill Quay.

David Downs cannot play and his place is taken by Neil Crooks while Bill Quay keep faith in the same side which secured a splendid victory last weekend.