Crook in confident mood as championship race hots up

The title door unexpectedly re-opened last week when Leadgate's match at Esh Winning was rained off, and Crook narrowed the gap at the top to less than 20 points by winning at Mainsforth. Crook spokesman Dave Greener said: "The lads are confident, especially after last weekend's results. It might have made Leadgate look over their shoulders a little bit."

Andrew Coe is unavailable for Crook so Lee Holloway replaces him, while Leadgate are expected to be at full strength. Ushaw Moor, who are third, could also be back in the thick of the title race if Crook win and they also win at Sedgefield.

However, they will be without several players because of other commitments - Ian Ross, Mark Welch and Stephen Hancock are missing, but Dean Storey and Stephen Milburn return.

Tudhoe professional Sushant Manjrekar plays his last game for the club against Mainsforth before returning home. Tudhoe captain Kevin Littlefair, who leads an unchanged side, said: "It's unfortunate he's going back early, because he's been a saviour for us this season. He's been a good professional."

Mainsforth, meanwhile,welcome back skipper Garry Purcell, so David Irvine drops back into the seconds.

Etherley are badly hit by missing players away to Langley Park, and during the week unsuccessfully applied to the league to have the suspension of Chris Renshaw lifted. Several players are on holiday, while Drew Kirtley has gone to Evenwood.

Langley welcome back brothers Adam and Lloyd Cochrane, while Keith Smith will go behind the stumps because of injury to Paul Clish.

Esh Winning are without wicketkeeper Dave Richardson, away to full strength Kimblesworth, so Graham Hurst deputises, while Dave Watson will take over Hurst's bowling duties.

Willington, who are at home to Evenwood, welcome back skipper Stephen Hurst, but batsman Michael Thorpe has returned to Tenerife.

Shildon Railway are strengthened by the return of Colin Barker away to Brandon, but Phil Timmens is unavailable.