Easington credentials to be tested (From Durham Times)

Easington credentials to be tested

8:00am Saturday 30th June 2012 in Sport By Chris West

Easington's emergence as a real title contender is set to be put to the test today when they tackle one of their main rivals, Seaham Park.

After thumping Park's neighbours Dawdon last Saturday, Easington suffered frustration when their second game of the double programme was washed out, to leave the way clear for Murton to increase their lead to 23 points when they won.

Today's game takes place at Seaham following the swap the teams did on the opening day when Park were still trying to get over the problems associated with the devastation caused by the fire in their clubhouse. They have recovered well and are the only unbeaten side in the league.

With their hosts at full strength Easington could have picked a better time to have four players missing - they travel without Jason Moses, Andrew Price, Dave Tarn and Kevin Spanton.

The cavalry is headed up by Peter Booth - "making the 20th comeback of my career'' - with Brian Fenwick senior, Stuart Wilson and Dan Douglas providing support.

As the awful weather continues, and frustration grows amongst administrators and players alike, Murton recognise their good fortune and unsurprisingly are not so despondent as others.

Club spokesman Ian Graham confirmed: "While everybody is fed up with the wet summer, somehow or other we generally seem to be falling lucky - so maybe we are one team that isn't complaining as much as the rest!''

Murton are at home to Silksworth and their only doubt is over Richard Bentley's availability. They face a team on a revenge mission as skipper Paul Smailes outlined: "We are looking forward to the challenge of playing the league leaders, and also revenge after being shot out for 48 in the reverse fixture on a wet April day.''

There's no guarantee, of course, that it won't be wet today, but the Silks have Michael Waterson, Darren Stoker and Mark Forster returning although they are missing star man, Michael Kelly, who was in the wickets and runs in last week's win.

Boldon CA expect to be back to full strength in their game at Dawdon after several late cry-offs last week. Dawdon had a similar experience and they, too, have everyone back.

Jeff Laws returns to the Seaham Harbour team for their home game against Peterlee who welcome back Connor Dickinson, Ryhope entertain Bill Quay, and Andrew Kibble retains his place in the Hylton side although Gary Braithwaite misses their match against Washington who hope to be able to include new signing Ian Elliott from Whitburn.