Double weekender for NYSD cricketers

It’s a double weekend of cricket in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League, with a full programme today and then the derby day festival on Bank Holiday Monday

League leaders Middlesbrough take on Barnard Castle at Acklam Park, and then make the short journey to Thornaby on Monday. Skipper Matthew Bell said: “We are without Hasan Raza and David Bruton for today’s game with Barney, but welcome back Jake Whittle. However, both Raza and Bruton are back in the side for Monday.”

Barney skipper James Quinn said: “This weekend will decide our fate in relation to our title chances. Following our match against Boro, we host Richmondshire on Monday. However, we are unchanged from last week’s wash out against Stokesley.”

“With everyone else playing last week, we have slightly lost touch with the leading pack, but two big results this weekend will put some pressure on the teams above. Both games will be incredibly tough, so we’ll have to be at our best to get positive results.”

Marton in third place, entertain Saltburn who are second and then travel to Normanby Hall on Monday. Skipper Alex Wardell said: “We have one change for both our games, with Owen Kelly coming in for myself. We are looking for a strong weekend of cricket from the team, following our good win at Ayton last weekend, which will hopefully keep us in with a chance of the title.”

Visiting skipper Ben Ainsley said: “We keep the same team from the victory over Hartlepool, for the trip and our home match against Marske on Monday, whereby we hope to continue our good run of form this season.”

Billingham Synthonia currently fifth, take on champions and fourth placed Richmondshire and then travel to Hartlepool on Monday. Club official Danny Phillips said: “We will be picking from an unchanged squad, as we look to get back to winning ways after a poor run of results.”

“It will be a tough weekend with these two games, but if we can get back to the cricket we were playing at the start of the season, then we are confident we can pick up some positive results.”

Hartlepool keep the same team for the visits of Normanby Hall, and then Billingham Synthonia on Bank Holiday Monday. Secretary Michael Gough said: “We had our first defeat in ten games last week, when Saltburn were worthy winners. In a very close game an absolutely outstanding innings by Gareth Shaw who scored an unbeaten century, was the difference between the teams.

“We are looking forward to this weekend where we expect two difficult games, but we are full of confidence even though we had a setback last weekend. Both of our opponents have young and good players in their squads, but having the advantage of playing at Park Drive for both games, should give our team a slight edge.”

Stokesley entertain Thornaby and skipper Jonny Weighell said: “Tom Preece returns to Saturday cricket, after a four week break because of football commitments and his batting will strengthen the team.

“After a disappointing show with the weather last Saturday, which saw our game curtailed when we were in a very strong position against Barnard Castle, we take that good form into this weekend against Thornaby, and then local rivals Great Ayton on Monday. We look forward to the challenge and are hoping for some sun!”

Bottom club Marske entertain Great Ayton at Windy Hill Lane and then travel to local rivals Saltburn on Monday. Ayton then entertain their local rivals Stokesley at Level Park on Monday.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington in third place, travel to local rivals and second placed Darlington RA and then travel to league leaders Stockton on Bank Holiday Monday. Club official Garry Moody said: “We are unchanged from last weekend going into the derby with Darlington RA, but on Monday Andy Peacock misses the game at Stockton, with Matty Harwood replacing him.”

Dukes ECB North East Premier League

Banks Salver – East Group

It is also a ‘double weekend’ in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League, with games on Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday.

Leaders Burnmoor entertain Whitburn and travel to Boldon on Monday. Skipper Alec Linsley said: “We only have one change this week, as McKenzie Wright is promoted to the first team after some good performances in the seconds, as Paul Craig is away on holiday. It’s the same team for both games, and we are looking forward to looking horns against Whitburn and Boldon this weekend.

“Both teams have under achieved so far and neither will want to get the wooden spoon, so we will need to be at our best to get the results we need to assure qualification to the knock-out stages. Let us hope the weather is set fair all weekend and we get to play some competitive cricket.”

Whitburn skipper Paul Shields said: “We are awaiting availability for several players over the weekend, so won’t know the final team until later in the week. Two very difficult games against two good sides (Hetton Lyons at home on Monday), who have strengthened over the summer. Let us Just hope the weather doesn’t ruin the weekend for our players.”

Hetton Lyons are second and they entertain Philadelphia and then travel to Whitburn on Monday. Fixture secretary Gary Adey said: “We expect to be unchanged for both fixtures and it’s important that we put together two good performances, with the intention of finishing in the top two of the group.”

Phili are forced into making one change for the visit to Hetton Lyons. Spinner Greg Halliday is not available and Alex Davison steps up from the second team. Chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “It’s a pity Greg cannot play because he is our leading wicket taker, but Alex has performed well with bat and ball and fully deserves his chance in the first team.”

Eppleton are third and they host Castle Eden at Church Road, with the intention of winning their last two games, finishing with an away tie at Philadelphia, to keep the pressure on the Lyons who are two points above them.

Banks Salver – West Group

Group leaders Chester-Le-Street welcome Washington to Ropery Lane, and skipper John Coxon said: “We had a tremendous win at Crook last week, with a super all round performance on a great track. They were unfortunate to pick up some injuries during the game, and we were able to exploit that.”

Washington will be a tough game, as they have a strong team and have been playing well all season, but we know a win will confirm top spot in the group, which is our aim. As for Monday, we should have a full squad to choose from for the game at Burnopfield.”

Washington skipper Joe Thompson said: “We are waiting on the fitness of Graeme Race and are hoping he is fit to return, and come back into our team. We go into the weekend still unbeaten and will look to continue our good form.”

Sacriston welcome Lanchester and fixture secretary Iain Bestford said: “Mel Betts and Martin Hubber return and are likely to replace last week’s stand-in captain Andrew Dixon and also Dan Stephenson. Luke Husband’s performance last week keeps him in the side ahead of Craig Robertson, who has to make-do with a spot in the second team.

“We are hoping to finish the league campaign with a win and give ourselves a chance of qualifying for the second-tier play-off competition.”

On Sunday, the Durham Cricket Academy in second place, complete their group games with a trip to Burnopfield.

Durham and North East Cricket League

Frank Lees Cup – Group A

Dawdon in fourth place, travel to Ryhope and host chairman Ian Lawrence said: “We have lost skipper Luke Anderson for the season through injury, but hope to have Scott Lawrence back after recovering from appendicitis.”

Frank Lees Cup – Group B

Esh Winning in third place, are three points behind leaders Littletown and are at home to bottom club Evenwood. Captain Paul Chivers said: “We have one change from last week’s win and Billy Storey is back in for Mark Davison. Hopefully, we can get three wins on the bounce.”

Evenwood secretary Luke Bannister said: “We have no changes to our team this week, we are just hoping for a positive performance and a win.”

In the other game which effects the top of the table is at Mainsforth, who are in fourth place and entertain Ushaw Moor at Morrison Terrace.

There are two other games in the group, which involve clubs trying to avoid the wooden spoon, and they are Peterlee who host Hunwick at the Helford Oval and Tudhoe who entertain Murton at St Charles Road.