Dukes North-East Premier League

CHESTER-LE-STREET face another major weekend as their quest for honours both inside and outside the Dukes North-East Premier League gathers pace.

After last night’s final 20/20 group game they are back at Ropery Lane today to play one of their major challengers in the title stakes, South Shields, before facing the next leg of their national knock out cup adventure at Scarborough tomorrow.

Shields have Mike Fishwick returning in place of Oliver Stedman, with the home team again at fullstrength.

The bad news for the national competition is that Luke Evans will be ineligible to play because he has bowled four overs in a Durham game this season.

In the Warmseal Durham Senior League, bottom club, Seaham Harbour have had 30 points deducted for a breach of league rules and are now 45 adrift at the foot of the table and staring relegation in the face.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, today’s key game features second-placed Whitburn at home to the team just below them, Hetton Lyons.

John Dunn makes his seasonal debut for the home side in place of the unavailable Andy Turns, while Whitburn have taken the tactical decision to beef up their batting options and include Lee Henderson and Elliott Markham in place of bowlers Dan Quinan and Ian Elliott.

The Lyons go into the game with a full squad.

It’s Andrew Dixon Cup final day tomorrow (2pm) in the 3D Durham Coast League, and there’s a great game in prospect at Murton, where league leaders Castle Eden lock horns with Ryhope.

Both teams are enjoying strong seasons, with just the one defeat between them, and both expect to be at full strength, with skipper John Spellman and Keith Bailey back for Castle, and Amur Purewal, now recovered from injury, joined by Ian White and Andrew Docherty in the Ryhope party.

On this afternoon’s league front, four of the top five meet, with Ryhope entertaining Bill Quay and Washington travelling to Castle Eden.

There is no doubting the plum tie in this afternoon’s Readers Durham County League programme as leaders Shildon take on form team Willington.

The Railwaymen’s only doubt is over Balou Krishnan, who is still struggling with his hamstring injury, but other than that they expect to be unchanged.

Second-placed Kimblesworth are at fullstrength and hoping to make full use of any slipups by their rivals as they take on the improving Hylton, who have Kit Allan junior back after eight weeks out with a knee injury.

Last weekend’s rain did the title race a real favour in the Wellstream NTSL as it enabled Shotley Bridge to lop 15 points off Swalwell’s lead at the top, which has now been reduced to a very manageable ten.

A full Bridge squad look to up the championship ante when they travel to Percy Main this afternoon.

The home team face selection problems, with Carl Ainsworth doubtful with a hand injury, and Michael Boyd, Craig Hall and Graeme Bond out.

Steve Knight and Ryan Sidney-Wilmot return, and Dave Tweed makes his seasonal debut after injury.