Durham Coast League: There is a double programme during the weekend, giving the opportunity to the four leading contestants for the championship to pull away from their rivals.

Murton have an eleven-point lead over Hylton and are 21 points in front of Castle Eden but 40 points are at stake.

The leaders show just one change for their fixtures with Easington and Boldon CA. Ian King cannot play and it is hoped that Howard Ramshaw may be available to fill the vacancy.

Second-placed Hylton, who recently strengthened their squad with the signing of all-rounder Shaun Smith from Philadelphia, enjoy the luxury of being able to field their first choice line-up when they tackle Ryhope and Easington. Both games could prove difficult as neither of their opponents give much away.

Silksworth are third, 20 points off the top, and they will hope to make up ground visiting second-from-basement Seaham Park today before lining up at home to basement team Houghton tomorrow. Stephen Lobban for Michael Kearney is their only alteration today but they will need to find a replacement tomorrow for Lobban, who cannot play.

Following their defeat last week - which was only their second of the season - Castle Eden have dropped down in the pecking order but still have a very good chance of winning the championship for the first time since they joined the league.

They keep faith in the same side which has earned them success in most games when they host Dawdon before moving on to Bill Quay.

Despite being at the bottom, Houghton are confident for the future of the club and their confidence is based on the fact that they have an abundance of players, including girls, for their three junior teams. The first team, though, has failed to win in 15 attempts and they could again find it difficult against Bill Quay and Silksworth.

Keith Rewcastle will keep wicket for the unavailable Des Pratt in both matches and tomorrow Shaun Hauxwell comes in for Martin Cowey.

A blow to the chances of Seaham Park for their double with Silksworth and Peterlee is the unavailability of Andrew Worthy. Bob Lowe is therefore retained in the line-up.

Ryhope and John Leslie have parted company. The former South Hetton player has left the club and youngster Adam Swansbury is given his chance when Ryhope host Hylton in the match of the day before playing Dawdon tomorrow. With wicketkeeper Robert Scott sidelined, Ian Lawrens is promoted from the second team to keep wicket.

Gary Critchley, who has been in good form recently, cannot play for Boldon CA in their two games with Peterlee and Murton so Tony Lincoln is drafted into the team.

Jason Robson is an absentee for Easington at home to Murton and at Hylton but Dane Wilson and Michael Stubbs both return.