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THE most frustrating aspect of being in a league with an odd number of teams is that one club has to endure a blank Saturday on a couple of occasions.

Such a fate falls to high-flying Ryhope this week, and their leadership will be handed over without a ball being bowled in anger.

Ryhope's chance to catch up on their game in hand will come in the ensuing weeks, so secondplaced Castle Eden will want to take the opportunity to grab full points and exert pressure on those below.

Castle travel to Silksworth with a full-strength team, the club delighted with the way their young players are performing.

For the home side, Craig Nield makes his seasonal debut in place of Malcolm Nicholls.

Murton got back into gear last week after stalling against Peterlee in their previous outing. They lie one place and two points below Castle Eden and go to Bill Quay in better spirits.

They, too, have an unchanged side for the trip to take on a team that finished third last season and lost only one game.

Quay gained a reputation in 2007 for showing a dogged determination not to lose but that seems to have deserted them so far in this campaign as they have already lost twice.

Boldon CA hand a league debut to youngster Stuart Smith, a player they have great hopes for.

David Batty is still missing from the CA line-up, while Rhys McGlove steps down. Peterlee are their hosts today, the feelgood factor from their herculean efforts against Murton a fortnight ago somewhat dissipated by the thrashing meted out by Castle Eden last weekend.

Seaham Park go into their fixture at Easington with the only remaining 100 per cent record.

Two games and two wins sees them poised to take advantage of any slip-ups by the leading sides. The home team have Michael Armstrong back but Lawrence Jones and Brian Daniel are both carrying what could be long-term injuries.

The big loss for Park today is Alan Dick - the London-based ex-pro is unavailable. To compensate the batting is strengthened by Andrew Worthy and David Morton turning out for their first games of the season.

Washington take on Dawdon, both teams languishing in the bottom four. Tony Gale makes his seasonal debut for the visitors after completing his commitments in the darts world.

9:01am Saturday 17th May 2008

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