COUNTY DURHAM LEAGUES.

WHILE both the Warmseal Durham Senior League and the 3D Sports Durham Coast League ended their playing seasons last weekend, there is still significant interest in how the North East pyramid will actually operate in its first real test since conception.

In 2008 there was no movement whatsoever, none of the champion sides in the various leagues from levels two to four wishing to move up the ladder.

But that situation has changed with Senior League champions Hetton Lyons itching to have another go at NEPL cricket. The team they will replace has still to be confirmed as the level one league completes its programme today.

Further down the ladder, Castle Eden set their stall out to win the Coast League, and in doing so achieved a fabulous grand slam by winning all four senior competitions.

They now await confirmation of their promotion to the Senior League which has to be ratified by the ground and facilities assessors from that organisation. While all this is going on Seaham Harbour, bottom of the Senior League, have still to learn whether they are definitely relegated to the Coast League.

At the base of the pyramid (level four) there are no teams seeking elevation so the bottom sides in the Coast and County leagues are safe.

However, there could be lateral movement between those two leagues, with Readers Durham County League side Hylton having applied to the Coast League for membership.

The 'transfer' request bears the good wishes of both league executives as they recognise the better geographical fit, as well as the benefits provided by the evening up of the number of clubs - both leagues currently have odd numbers which is never ideal from a league planning perspective.

If today is Hylton's swansong in the County League they could hardly have chosen a better going away present as they entertain champions Kimblesworth. The home side started the season disastrously as they lost eight of their first nine matches but they have now won their last six. The success has been built around the run-scoring exploits of Chris Allan junior, who has scored 928 league runs despite missing four games, and the bowling skills of wise old heads Owen Williamson and Chris Allan senior.

But their final test could not be tougher, and with visiting skipper Nigel Darling announcing that he will hang up his boots after the game his team of champions will be out to give the great club servant a fitting send off.

Esh Winning currently occupy second place in the table and they will want to confirm themselves as runners up when they travel to play a depleted Mainsforth. Esh's pro has returned home, but the club have already secured his signature for 2010. Yasim Murtaza arrived as a fairly inexperienced 18-year-old, but visibly grew in stature as the season progressed, so they expect him to be even more valuable next year.

Crook Town are the other side in the runners up equation - and they face a tough trip to Evenwood to end their campaign. But they will have overseas man Arsalan Mir back in the side as he has recovered from the shoulder injury that sidelined him last week.

Winless Brandon are at Langley Park, the side just one place above them at the foot of the table. But whilst the senior team has faced a season of struggle, they have hope for the future with their junior teams proving a force to be reckoned with.

Park skipper Dave Gladstone is recovering from an appendix operation, but Simon Huscroft returns to their side.

Willington are set to finish sixth in the table but are still delighted with the club's overall campaign - they have won the Carlsberg Cup, the second team won their league cup, and they have enjoyed success at various age group levels with both their boys and girls teams. Gary Cummings and Chris Moore are notable last day absentees for Willington as they entertain an unchanged Shildon Railway. Also at full strength are Ushaw Moor who end with a home fixture against Tudhoe. CHRIS WEST