Evenwood secretary Alf Teesdale believes his side can still wrestle the leadership from Kimblesworth if they defeat Esh Winning in today's crucial game.

"Kimblesworth are in the driving seat, 36 points ahead of ourselves with only 100 to play for,'' he said.

"We just have to keep going and hopefully take maximum points from Esh Winning, who are only 13 behind us with a game in hand.''

Whatever the outcome in the race for the championship, Evenwood are already celebrating since they have won the Division A and Division B Cups.

Tomorrow, their Under-18 side host Esh Winning in the final of the Bob Hay Cup.

Esh Winning have not given up hope of retaining the title. They are in form and in the space of six days defeated Foster's Durham Senior League leaders South Shields, second-top Burnmoor and South Hetton to win the Premier F1 Horner Cup.

With Michael Robson unavailable, Graham Hurst will keep wicket and Stuart Hall is drafted in. Evenwood anticipate being at full strength.

Kimblesworth have a free day and await the result from their rivals in what is now a three-horse race for the championship.

Willington are fourth and meet Tudhoe, who have a match-winner in Aland Naidhu.

Brandon will be hoping for a better performance at home to Hylton after crashing to just 29 all out at Evenwood last week, when the game lasted only 100 minutes.

Ushaw Moor are unchanged at bottom-of-the-table Etherley, who are now just four points behind Brandon. A good haul could see Etherley move off the basement for the first time in weeks.

Junior Andrew Quincey debuts for Mainsforth, replacing the unavailable Nigel Milner at Crook Town, who name Deepak Kumar for Lee Formosa.

Shildon, buoyant following victory at Kimblesworth in the Armourpost Security Shutters DRV Challenge Cup this week, aim to maintain their improved form at the expense of Langley Park.

Last season, the sides ended in the bottom two but are now bidding for mid-table positions.