Boddingtons Durham Coast League

Following South Hetton's move into The Federation Special Durham Senior League, the title race could be wide open.

South Hetton have won the title seven times in the last nine years, but now last year's runners-up Silksworth will fancy their chances.

Although they have not engaged a professional, they have signed wicketkeeper and opening batsman Michael Kearney from Philadelphia and Andrew Waterson from Ryhope. Chris Pringle will again lead the side.

Hylton, too, will fancy their chances despite losing three players to Premier League clubs. Alan Mustard has joined Sunderland and father and son Norman and Shaun Smith have returned to Philadelphia.

The only newcomer is Gary Hewitt but David Batty is fit. David Hanson will again lead the side which includes Owen Williamson -a regular at the age of 57.

Peterlee predict a more successful season. Three former NYSD players will lend vast experience to the championship challenge.

Keith Hewson will have his third season as professional and his brother Neil will also be playing alongside Nick Beall, the players' Player of the Year last season.

A fourth ex-NYSD League player, Dave Cross from Norton, has moved in. Paul Hodgson, who played for Elland in the Huddersfield League last season, is another newcomer and John Paul has rejoined from Easington.

Captain Michael Garrigan, who missed most of last season after breaking a leg, is fit.

Castle Eden, who continue to greatly improve their facilities, are pleased that Gary Naylor is making himself available again. Allan Unsworth takes over as captain from Tony Banks.

A blow to Murton is the decision of spinner Glen Riddle to move on but they have made a major signing in Calvin Stephenson, who will be professional. He was with Crook Town last summer when he finished fourth in the bowling averages with 53 wickets at a cost of 13.2 runs apiece.

If Easington can make a better start they could be in the running. David Kennedy was one of the most successful professionals last year and if he repeats the form which earned him 851 runs and 68 wickets, his club will be feared.

The loss of Ian Clough to Annfield Plain and Bill Gardner because of work commitments is a double blow to Bill Quay, who will concentrate on bringing the best out of a crop of good young players.

Shoaib Akhtar has left Dawdon to try his hand in the Premier League with Philadelphia.

Ryhope have the former Seaham Park professional Alan Dick again in their ranks with Mark Hopkinson as captain, while it is much the same at Seaham Park who ended bottom in 2001. Michael Evans has moved on to Ryhope and for the second successive season the club has not engaged a professional. Experienced Andrew Worthy is back as captain.

There are few professionals in the league and Houghton are one of eight all-amateur sides. Captain Ian Hauxwell faces a stern test attempting to improve on last season's second-from-bottom position and Boldon CA, who show no changes, could also face a difficult campaign although they are confident that younger members will feed into the senior team.