Ushaw Moor are second in the table but much-respected official Peter Metcalfe reckons the league is not as strong as it used to be.

"Losing Hetton Lyons to the Durham Senior League was a big blow. They are a good club and are doing exceptionally well but the Senior League's gain has certainly been our loss," bemoaned Metcalfe, who in addition to his duties with Ushaw Moor is also chairman of the League.

"Tudhoe lost five leading players before the start of the season and recently Chris Pivac, who was doing really well with Langley Park, has had to return to Australia because of an injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season," added Metcalfe.

Today, Ushaw Moor attempt to close in on leaders Leadgate when they host Shildon and Metcalfe reckons it will be no easy game.

"Shildon have proved more than once this season that they are capable of knocking over a side."

Ushaw Moor's chances are strengthened by being able to name a full-strength side while Shildon are without captain Colin Barker, the former Bishop Auckland player.

Mike Parker, too, is absent and Shildon will be hoping for a repeat performance of the form shown by Gary Wigham against Darlington earlier in the week when he slammed an unbeaten 55 which earned his team victory in the MDK Roofing Cup.

Leaders Leadgate start favourites at home to Etherley after dumping Durham Senior League side Eppleton out of the Moor Graphics Horner Cup on Thursday night when Richard Hawthorne, who is enjoying a super season, picked up another six wickets.

Etherley are still minus David Young with a back problem but otherwise announce their first-choice line-up as they aim to inflict a first defeat of the season on Leadgate.

Mainsforth, who lost in the last over to Leadgate when the sides competed for the League Cup last Sunday, are at home to Esh Winning without Shaun Poulter, who has decided to call it a day for the remainder of the season.

He has played with the club from his junior days and has been a regular for more than 20 years.

His place behind the wicket is handed to 16-year-old Chris Hardwick and a further change is the return of Russ Pattison, with David Irvine dropping into the second team.

Esh Winning cannot call upon Graham Hurst but captain Dave Richardson returns and will keep wicket.

Andrew Coe is unavailable so Crook Town bring in Lee Holloway for their game at Brandon and Willington, fighting to avoid finishing bottom in their first season in the league, go to Langley Park without Michael Kyle who is replaced by Chris Moore.

Kimblesworth captain Barry Strong appears to have overcome a knee injury and he leads his side in the home match with Evenwood. Lawrence Punshon has recovered from a foot injury and Nigel Darling also resumes.

Australian professional Charlie Burke cannot play for Sedgefield in the home game with Tudhoe who have Darren Littlefair back for the unavailable Stephen Thompson.