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RYHOPE go into today's 3D Durham Coast League fixtures with a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Whilst the current leaders head off to play a struggling Peterlee side, second-placed Murton take their turn to sit out the programme as clubs reach the exact half way point of the league season. And there will be no easy pickings for third-placed Castle Eden as they face a tough trip to league cup winners Washington.

Peterlee will not be the soft touch for the leaders that appeared to be the case last year.

They have re-grouped well after a disastrous 2007 and have already recorded their first league victory for over two years as well as putting on a few other gritty performances, notably when holding Murton to a draw. And their line-up is strengthened by the return of David Garraghan and Paul Griffith.

Washington have been quietly impressing in recent weeks and will be bristling with confidence against an unchanged Castle Eden team who are looking forward to their own spot of cup glory having reached the sixth round of the National Village Cup, in which they play at Bomarsund tomorrow.

There is an intriguing derby battle in prospect at Dawdon where Seaham Park are the visitors.

Park are expecting to have their first full strength team in the field for the match that endows the winners with considerable local bragging rights - until the next match at least.

Alan Dick, Andrew Worthy and David Morton are all back for this one, whilst Andrew Docherty makes his seasonal debut. To add further spice to the clash, if any were needed, Michael Watson has switched camps and will make his debut for Seaham against his former club.

Whilst not overly reminiscent of Baywatch, there does seem something faintly exotic about the fact that 19 year-old lifeguard Andrew Brown will hot-foot it directly from Seaburn beach to Silksworth to turn out for Boldon CA. Brown's bat has seemed the size of a surfboard recently to opposition second-team bowlers, and that success has earned him first team promotion.

Silksworth languishing at the bottom face Boldon and they remain unchanged from the side which acquitted itself well in cup recently.

Easington bring in former captain Brian Fenwick for Paul McGhee. They entertain a Bill Quay side who miss Willie Gardner through suspension and draft in two batters for the game, Chris Forshaw and 17 year-old Chris Malley.

8:28am Saturday 28th June 2008

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