Esh set for test

Victory for Esh is essential if they are to close in on their rivals and a repeat of the form they showed last weekend would surely put them in with a chance.

A blow, though, is the absence through injury of Stephen Dunn, but Peter Maddison is available as his replacement. Evenwood also have injury problems which keep John Maughan and Craig Rutherford on the sidelines.

Second-top Kimblesworth are odds-on favourites to win at Shildon, who have yet to record a victory in 12 attempts. They showed better form with the bat last Saturday but will need to produce something really special if they are to upset the form book.

"It was doom and gloom before the start of the season but everybody has rallied around and we have fulfilled all our fixtures for both the first and second team," said official Phil Bramley who reports that the only change to face Kimblesworth is the inclusion of Philip Dunn for Phil Rowley.

Kimblesworth look exceptionally strong and field their strongest side this afternoon.

Brandon are without a game giving Crook Town the opportunity to move into fourth position if they beat Tudhoe. Andrew Coe resumes for the home side, taking over from Christopher Guy and Tudhoe will take some beating if professional Shahid Anwar maintains his form.

Another pro among the runs and wickets is Ushaw Moor's Sanjay Raul and at Langley Park his side shows three changes - Michael Hayton, Mark Welsh and Peter McCormack take over from Barry Messer, Phil Corrigan and Craig Wilson. Wicketkeeper Paul Clish cannot play and Keith Smith will keep wicket for Park who have Phil Daughtery available.

Mainsforth, buoyed by their midweek victory over Hylton, meet Willington with Scott Wallace taking over from Wayne Firbank. Etherley go to Sedgefield boosted by the inclusion of Eddie Seery, Lee Gowland and Andrew Dunning but Sean Rudd and Colin Barker cannot play. Sedgefield expect to be unchanged.