Dukes ECB NEPL

WITH South North safely installed as champions for the tenth time in 13 years all eyes are now on the foot of the Premier Division and the top of the First Division as NEPL clubs play their final games.

Blaydon stand on the brink of relegation for the first time in their history. Their record in the Premier Division has been one of consistency – in the 15 seasons since the league was formed they have only finished outside the top half of the table on two occasions, been runners-up twice and third no fewer than five times.

But this season has seen them struggle to score runs, and with a catalogue of injuries to contend with they’ve dropped like a stone following a run of 16 games with just one win, last week’s defeat at the hands of their principal rivals, Gateshead Fell, virtually sealing their fate.

With 24 points to make up on the Fell they stick to the same line-up for this final game, although some positive news for them is that they will be facing a Whitburn team with injury problems. Mike Turns is sidelined by torn ligaments, while Neil Ayre is also out after fracturing two fingers – Michael Bittlestone and Luke Smith are called up.

Just who will replace the relegated side is still very much in doubt. Eppleton, enjoying a superb season which was boosted by becoming the first ever non-Premier side to win the Banks Salver, hold an eight point advantage over Washington, but their rivals appear to have much the easier game today as they go to rock bottom South Hetton who have not won for 11 matches.

Meanwhile Eppleton have a tough nut to crack in the shape of an enigmatic Boldon team who can beat anyone on their day. But the leaders do have their full squad available against opponents who will be missing Neil Mulvaney - Gareth Welsh replaces him.

Ashley Thorpe played through the pain barrier to provide a boost to Washington last week – it had previously looked as though the skipper was out for the season with a serious knee problem. And he will do so again as he takes an unchanged team to Front Street to take on a South Hetton side at their strongest for one of the first times this season following the return of Nathan Adamson and Rameez Nawaz.