Foster's Durham Senior League: Whitburn's title aspirations would be enhanced by the right outcome of this afternoon's contest against Durham City, writes Bob Gindey.

Although there are still seven matches to play the Whitburn camp see this game as one they will be expected to win if they are to maintain their challenge.

"We know what we have to do and my players will be giving 100 per cent at Durham," said skipper David Bell.

"Durham may be at the bottom of the league but they will still give us all they have," added Bell.

City have won twice this season - both in July - and this will provide them with added confidence. For the game at the Racecourse Ground they have Paddy Dias, Paul Price, and Steve Wilkinson resuming. They replace the unavailable trio of Neil Duffitt, Pardi Deshmukh and Steve Maddox. Whitburn are still without opening batsman Neil Ayre, who continues to recover from chicken pox. All rounder Paul Cook is also absent and youngster Anthony Gilbert joins the side.

Leaders Hetton Lyons will be looking for an eighth win when they travel to Marsden, a side who forced a draw against them earlier in the season.

On that occasion Marsden captain Chris Mann proved the stumbling block. Mann stood firm with an unbeaten 75 and the opener plays his first game this afternoon since his recent suspension. However, talented all-round player Philip Bell is absent along with Dave Chamley and David Stewart. John Stobbart and Sharon Mubarakai join Mann in the side.

Hetton Lyons are expecting to field a full strength team. Eppleton, still on the fringe of the title race, will be looking for 20 points. They entertain Horden who seem destined to end in their lowest league position since 1998. They could well face another difficult afternoon today when their opponents will be pulling out all stops to win.

Eppleton hope to have an unchanged side and Horden have players returning. Paul Franks, Ian Blevins and Adam Dixon expect to be available and there are hopes that Tony Murphy will also be able to play for Horden.

Unpredictable South Hetton entertain Felling with the same side that lost to South Shields two week ago. They will, however, be hoping for a much improved display. In that game the batting disintegrated and they could only muster a paltry 90.

Felling will have three players back to strengthen their side. Micky Nolan, Michael Jackson and Adam Gordge are all included.

Seaham Harbour will have leading run-maker Martin Gill available again along with Duncan Loraine against South Shields. They replace Tom Lumsden and Steven Thompson and Adam Young comes in for Simon Weston.

Shields make just one change. Ray McRae, who spent much of the summer in the senior side, is recalled after a successful spell in the second team. All-rounder McRae may get an opportunity to bowl his leg-spin at Seaham and he replaces 15-year-old Oliver Stedman.

Burnmoor have Gary Brown back for the trip to Boldon. This is the only change for the Moors while Boldon are strengthened by the return of Grant Forster and brother-in-law Graham Fox.

A second attempt will be made to stage the final of the Northern Rock Bowl at Burnmoor tomorrow. Michael Callaghan is called up in Gary Brown's absence. Opponents South Shields select from 12. McRae is left out and Stedman and Greg Siddell join the squad.