The Surridge Sport Durham Coast League: Castle Eden ended a 55-year wait when they won the championship last season, but it was an extremely close call with Seaham Park only missing out on the last day.

Murton gave the pair a good run and it will be surprising if the trio are not again the pace-setters although Ryhope could be dark horses.

Castle Eden's success was down to a team effort. The majority of their players are home grown and with the same squad, should again prove a match for the best.

"We are a village side and proud of it. All the lads bond together and our success has been down to everybody pulling in the same direction. We only had two players in the top ten batting averages and just a couple in the bowling statistics which proves my point," claimed secretary Leo Taylor.

Seaham Park would have won the title in 2005 had they clinched victory on the final day of the season. Their last success came in the 1920s but they could go all the way this time following the signing of two established players.

Andrew Worthy has returned to the club from Swalwell and Gary Innes, who learned his cricket with Lintz before moving to Leadgate, is the professional.

"We are pleased to have Andrew back while Gary Innes is without doubt a very good signing. It is a long time since we won the title and success is overdue. We are confident we can challenge Castle Eden for the crown," declared official Billy Giblin, who has had a long association with the East Durham club.

Murton failed to clinch a hat-trick of championships but, they too, are buoyant. With Calvin Stephenson in the side they are always a threat. Last season, he was the leading wicket-taker with 79 at just 13.2 while on several occasions, he flayed the opposition attack.

He has again been re-engaged and a further boost is the return of all-rounder Joe Dodd who impressed with Philadelphia in the Northern Rock ECB North East Regional Premier League until injury curtailed his season.

Ryhope, who pride themselves on their youth policy, will again include a number of home-grown players but have moved to strengthen the side with the signing of David Kennedy as professional from Easington.

Last year, he racked up 742 runs at 43.7 and was once again one of the leading batsmen. In addition Ian Hauxwell has transferred from Houghton and will captain the side which will again include Graeme Smith but Paul Watson has left.

There is another change of pro at Washington who have signed paceman Matthew Jane from Eppleton. Nick Thompson will captain the side which will attempt to improve on a fourth-from-bottom rating during 2005.

It could be another difficult season for Houghton who failed to record a victory, losing 16 of their 22 games and finishing 83 points adrift at the bottom.

They last won the title in 1990 but in recent years have struggled and a further blow to them is the decision of Ian Hauxwell to join Ryhope. Gary Robinson, who joined as a junior will lead the team.

Boldon CA have lost teenager Karl Bellerby to Philadelphia but the youngster goes with the best wishes of the club. Another absentee will be Lee Jackson, now at his former club Hylton but Lee Auty has signed from Washington.

Bill Quay have re-engaged Shaun Smith who hit 521 runs last season and David Hunt will be skipper, while Dawdon, who were delighted to finish fourth in 2005, will again operate without a professional. David Coates is their captain.

A massive blow to Easington is the loss of the influential David Kennedy, who has played a leading part in the side during recent seasons. Robbie Atherton will skipper the team which ended fifth bottom with as many wins.

Peterlee were second from the basement and they appear to have another difficult season on the horizon since Stephen McCoy and David Rooney have returned to neighbours Horden and Paul Griffiths, who had been with the club since a junior, has also made the short journey along the coast. Dale Butler is captain.

There are no changes at Silksworth who will miss Scott Davison at the start of the campaign.

He is in South Africa coaching underprivileged children. Stephen Lobban will captain the team which ended fifth in 2005.