Readers Durham County League: Brandon have suffered a big blow ahead of their game with early season championship challengers Kimblesworth with the news that Michael Thorpe has joined Shildon.

Thorpe formed a formidable opening partnership with new professional Australian Jim Allenby but announced following a midweek game that he would be moving on.

"Obviously, we are disappointed to lose a player of Michael's ability, but you have got to live with these things," said Brandon secretary Ian Johnson, who reports that Bobby Orton is also absent today.

The pair are replaced by Shane Cutts and Mark Patterson for a game which could well be decided by Aussies.

Allenby will open the batting for Brandon and Gavin Swan will spearhead the Kimblesworth attack.

The visitors, who are just eight points adrift of leaders Evenwood, are more than happy to field an unchanged line-up.

No doubt Evenwood would have liked the same luxury but they miss four regulars visiting third from top Crook Town.

Jonathan Milroy, David Wilkinson, Tony McMahon and Kevin Watson are all away so David Smith, David Jacobs, Chris Geddes and Lee Foster are promoted from the second XI.

Crook Town, second bottom last season, lost for only the second time last weekend and they made just one alteration with the returning Michael Fawcett an ideal replacement for the unavailable Neil Stoker.

Etherley are considerably stronger for the visit of Esh Winning and are back to full strength with the inclusion of Carl McGregor, Chris Renshaw and Colin Barker. Graham Laverick retains his place following a good batting performance against Evenwood.

Chris Hurst, son of the former Durham County opener Graham, who is still a regular member of the side, cannot play for Esh Winning and his place is filled by the experienced Bobby Parkinson.

Willington captain Gary Cummings reports that he will have his strongest line-up on duty at home to Langley Park who are batting a lot better than they are bowling.

They topped the 200 mark in three consecutive matches yet won only once, but with Lee Wright and Brad Jose averaging 50 are always in with a chance of making a good total.

Langley are also delighted with the form of 17-year-old Danny Wilkinson who keeps his place at Willington.

Mainsforth, who play Tudhoe three times in seven days, are unchanged for today's league fixture while Sedgefield welcome the return of Michael Ridley and Steve Broderick at Ushaw Moor especially as Peterlee Rivis and Eddie Johnson are sidelines.

Ushaw Moor are considerably stronger with the inclusion of captain Andy Metcalfe, his deputy Stephen Hancock, Peter Maddison and Brendan Jackson. Their only absentee is Ian Ross.