Top four meet head on (From Durham Times)

Top four meet head on

8:00am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Sport By Chris West

Weather permitting the battle for the championship is set to burst into vibrant life this afternoon with the top four teams meeting head on.

Murton's once mighty lead at the top of the pile has been whittled down, and the top spot which they have hogged all season could be under real threat when they travel to second-placed Easington.

Victory for the home team would almost certainly trigger a change in the dynamics of the table.

Both teams are at full strength, with Easington sailing serenely through the selection dilemma of a couple of weeks ago, and Murton expecting Richard Bentley to be back to lead their attack.

Adding extra spice is the return of leading performer John Sample to his former club.

Just below the leading pair, Seaham duo Dawdon and Park are capable of pouncing on any slip-ups, and they meet in a fiercely contested derby.

Hosts Dawdon are missing the Purewal twins, who continue their pre-season football commitments with Darlington, and Mark Ewart and Ryan Consitt are on a stag do. Promising young bowler Thomas Spinks is handed an opportunity, while Kam Hamid and Tabs Shah also come in. The Park are missing Alex Ludlow, but Anthony Laidler returns.

Washington had hoped to be playing in the League Cup final tomorrow. They qualified some time ago but the outstanding semi-final between Boldon CA and Bill Quay again fell victim to the weather during the week.

Those sides have tried to find a winner on numerous occasions since their initial meeting in early June which ended in a tie just to complicate matters.

The benefit for Washington is that they can concentrate on maintaining the league form that has seen them creep into fifth spot after an unbeaten two-month run.

They entertain struggling CA who, after winning the championship in 2011, have still to register a victory in 2012. The home team have to reckon without Jak Gaff and Andrew Ebdale, although Andy Wilkie is back and new signing Ian Elliott has another attempt at making his debut. Boldon are back to full strength.

Ryhope welcome back Paul Howe, Connor Pearson and Micky Thorpe to put them at full-strength for the visit of Seaham Harbour who are similarly endowed, unchanged Bill Quay entertain a depleted Silksworth, and skipper Kit Allan junior is back at the helm for Hylton who face up to winless Peterlee.