Champions are in town
SOUTH Shields face a massive test when they host champions Chester-le-Street tomorrow.
While the Cestrians have spent the second half of the season securing the NEPL title by accumulating 42 more points than any other side, South Shields have lost six of their last eight starts.
The form table during this period places Shields in ninth spot with a similar points tally to Newcastle and Tynemouth.
The two sides from north of the river are still scrapping to avoid the relegation trapdoor, illustrating how nothing can be taken for granted at this level.
Stockton, who spent much of the first part of the season rooted to the bottom of the league, have gained the second highest number of points (164) since the half-way stage.
After a horror bank holiday weekend, South Shields have conceded fourth place to Benwell Hill and now find Gateshead Fell and Sunderland on their coat tails as they prepare for the visit of the champions to Wood Terrace.
The Sapphire Engineering-sponsored side is led by Mike Fishwick in Dan Shurben's absence.
The left-hander is also likely to miss the final match of the season at Newcastle after breaking a finger in the field at Benwell Hill last Saturday.
Matty Muchall's decision to swap cricket for rugby this weekend has severely depleted the bowling resources.
The one-club man – 39 scalps to his name this season – is replaced by an out-of-the-blue call up for young medium-pacer, Greg Siddell.
Chester-le-Street will be without productive openers Alan Mustard and
Simon Birtwisle for tomorrow's match, but their available resources are stacked high thanks to an influx of players last winter.
Tim Stonock's first-team opportunities have been limited as a consequence, but he gets his chance tomorrow.
Richard Waite and Luke Evans lead a strong and varied bowling attack for the visitors.
In addition to NEPL title success, the Ropery Lane side's monumental season has seen them through to the national final of the Cockspur Twenty20 Cup and the ECB national 50-over competition.
Shields' young side will need all the battling qualities that, disappointingly, were conspicuous by their absence in Monday's frail display at Blaydon.
Fishwick battled gamely for his 116-ball innings of 30, but few of his team mates followed suit.
Siddell's inclusion raises the number of players used in League matches by South Shields senior side to 23.
Unavailability and injury problems have again dogged the Wood Terrace Club's season, taking its toll on the second string, who have at times suffered from a lack of continuity.
The seconds travel to Ropery Lane to take on title-chasing Chester-le-Street.
They hope to have Alan Stevenson back in the ranks after he hobbled out of Saturday's match with a knee niggle.
The loyal veteran's years of unbroken, uncomplaining toil up the hill from the Sunderland Road end are a captain's dream and the subject of much admiration.
Stevenson has retained an immaculate control of line and length, while his willingness to run through brick walls for the club is an object lesson to those shrewd enough to take note.
The second team's strong cup showings have kept spirits and confidence high. They have a chance of silverware on Sunday in the Tom Blair final when they face Blackhall or Ryhope at Tudhoe CC (2pm start).
Meanwhile, the Academy side travels to Gateshead Fell for an NEPL Division three match boosted by last weekend's 10-wicket win over Newcastle.
South Shields fell to a nine-wicket defeat to South Hetton in the Under-15 Division Three Final of the Durham Youth Cricket Competition on Tuesday.
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
