Horden host local rivals Easington in massive derby game in Readers Durham Cricket League Division One

Horden host local rivals Easington tomorrow in what is one of the most significant derby games in recent seasons.
Easington CC v Crook CC at Easington Welfare Park, on Saturday. Easingtonâ¬"s Omar Shahid bolwing to Crook opener Andrew PrattEasington CC v Crook CC at Easington Welfare Park, on Saturday. Easingtonâ¬"s Omar Shahid bolwing to Crook opener Andrew Pratt
Easington CC v Crook CC at Easington Welfare Park, on Saturday. Easingtonâ¬"s Omar Shahid bolwing to Crook opener Andrew Pratt

Home team Horden have just five games left to save themselves from relegation from Readers Durham Cricket League Division One.

Meanwhile, visitors Easington lead the league title race by 20 points and start favourites to earn the points on the way to hopefully being crowned champions.

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Interest in the game is understandably high and should be played out in front of a bumper crowd at Welfare Park.

Horden Chairman Paul Patterson said: “Tomorrow is a match that we cannot afford to lose even though it is against our derby rivals Easington.

“They are in great form at the moment, whereas we have had a poor season and staying in the first division is still our aim.

“We suffered a crushing blow last weekend having batted badly as a team and were dismissed for 97 against a Durham City side.

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“This was a game where I thought we would have come away with at least a draw.

“The defeat however, a seven-wicket one at that, saw us drop back into the bottom two because Whiteleas and Bill Quay both won to climb above us.

“There is still 150 points to play for and I feel we must try to win at least three of our remaining five matches to stand a chance of surviving in the top flight.”

Easington go into the game of the back of a defeat to Whiteleas two weeks ago while and last Saturday they were second best in their drawn encounter against their nearest challengers and second place Crook Town.

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Easington Club spokesman, Arthur Broxson, said: “Losing to Whiteleas a fortnight ago and gaining a draw last Saturday against Crook Town has set us back somewhat.

“Thus our winning sequence has gone, however, we must not get too complacent tomorrow against Horden and, whilst we are favourites to win, we will be taking nothing for granted on the day.

“Horden have had a disappointing year by their standard, with so many players leaving in the close season.

“But they have given it their all to compete week in and week out and they will be wanting to win just as much as us to move out of the relegation zone.”

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Easington are still confident of cementing their title ambitions even though they’ve been on the receiving end for their last two matches and were thankful to the Wilson brothers’ last stand against Crook.

Easington are at full strength with the exception of Robbie Atherton who is still unavailable and the side selected reads: G Ward, R Higgins, J Wilson, D Tarn, J Davis, M Cowell, O Shahid, J Broom, D Wilson, J Moses, D Tillakaratne

Horden’s batting must improve considerably if they are to stand any chance of coming out on top tomorrow.

Team from S Birks, W Birks, A Dixon, L Irving, P Dixon, D Stephenson, R Eagleton, A Scott, A Hall, E Roberts, J Pearson, D Jones, J P Meade.