Lord’s hopes put aside (From Durham Times)

Lord’s hopes put aside

9:30am Saturday 19th July 2008 in News

WHAT a couple of days it proved to be for Castle Eden last weekend. Despite the most miserable of starts when their league match at Peterlee bit the mud early on Saturday morning.

With Castle inactive Ryhope missed a golden opportunity to move further ahead at the top when they were beaten by Boldon CA, and following this surprise boost things got even better on Sunday when the Castle sent Lancashire side Salesbury packing to reach the last eight of the National Village Cup.

They are now just two steps from a Lord’s final and will try and bring the dream closer to reality when they take on top Yorkshire outfit Woodhouse Grange on the 27th July.

But before then the search for league points goes on with a home game against Silksworth today. Castle are unchanged meaning the returning John Thompson will hopefully get a game this week.

Silksworth had to deal with a mass of absentees last week, but most return this afternoon.

Paul Smailes will keep wicket as Mike Nicholson is away, but David Nield and Phil Middlemiss are back, and Paul Bradford provides a timely boost as he makes his seasonal debut.

With Ryhope taking their free weekend the chance is there for Castle to take over at the top, although Murton will be waiting in the wings for any slip-up. The unchanged challengers will have home advantage against Bill Quay.

Boldon CA put out the same side who defeated the league leaders last week. Their visitors, Peterlee, will be missing Michael Garraghan but should have both Adam Maddison and Michael Buckingham back as they search for a third victory to set the seal on a season that has already represented real progress for them.

Seaham Park entertain Easington, with Paul Neasham and David Tarn returning for the visitors, and in today’s final game Dawdon take on Washington.