First against second as title race hots up (From Durham Times)

First against second as title race hots up

8:00am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Durham County League By Chris West

It's the big one in this afternoon when second-placed Crook Town take on leaders Esh Winning in a match that will have a major bearing on the destination of the championship.

Reigning champions Esh enjoy a healthy 29-point lead over Town, but their unbeaten record will be on the line against a side who have been in convincing form on the occasions they have managed to play cricket in the last couple of months.

And the good news for the home team is that they are at full strength while their visitors have a couple of players missing.

Crook will have Steve Chapman back, but Esh have to reckon without Michael Oughton and Stuart Hall although they can call upon Chris Moore as he has returned from London this weekend.

The leading sides could have been contesting the League Cup final tomorrow as well, but the weather has put paid to that with the earlier rounds of the Hunter Cummings Memorial Trophy being delayed by regular postponements.

The final was originally scheduled for tomorrow but with the two semi-finals - Langley Park v Esh and Tudhoe v Crook - still outstanding the executive will set a new final date.

Willington burst back into title contention when they were the only team to play and win last week, victory at Shildon coming courtesy of another outstanding display from Gary Cummings who notched up a century in bowler friendly conditions.

Cummings takes his place in the Willington starting line-up and has Stephen Bradwell alongside him for the game at Langley Park.

Will they play at Ushaw Moor this afternoon?

That's the question asked by Evenwood after yet another week of incessant rainfall has put a number of fixtures in doubt once more.

If they do get on then the visitors will put out an unchanged side against a team who have only managed to beat the weather on three occasions in 14 attempts.

Not far behind the Moor in abandonments is Tudhoe - they've lost 10 out of 14 to the elements and a trip to Mainsforth may be to their benefit in terms of actually getting on the field.

The hosts show two changes with Shaun Poulter, who will keep wicket, and David Thompson in for Callum Walton and Stephen Avery.

With skipper Rob Nevison still on holiday Shildon are unchanged for the trip to Brandon where their hosts include Stephen Ball after completing his suspension.

Also back is Carl Van Heerden, the young leggie at last recovered from a broken finger that sidelined him for six weeks.

Young seamer Liam Reid retains his place after impressing.