Due to the late change of fixture we have had to alter selection as league registrations apply. As such, the likes of Harry Tankard and Will Taylor will have to continue to wait to make their first team debuts.

This fixture was abandoned after an injury to Pete Twentyman three weeks ago - Pete is on the mend after a tib/fib break was confirmed. Hopefully, we will see him down at the club once he is more mobile. Fran and Jasper are coping admirably with having Pete around the house a lot more.

Hartlepool arrive knowing a win will take them up to the lofty heights of fifth. They have some size up front and a great 9/10 axis which put them in the right spots on the field. We will have to be at our best to get the win to finish with 6 wins and 5 losses at home.

1's vs Hartlepool (h) - meet 1330, kick off 1500 - Johnny McSorley, Tom Dias, Luke Foster, Ryan Gibson, Darren Kelly, Alex Cokeley, Joe Whelan, Louis Matthews, Ian Ramsay, Ollie Towe, Shaun Stewart, Ben Jubb, Brandon Gilbert, Isaac Robinson, Sam Bird, Tom Taylor, Greg Abibu, Dan Neill.

2's vs Alnwick (a) 1230 meet for a 1245 leave, 1500 kick off - Ian Wood, Ant McQuillan, John Watson, Rich Zabrocki, Adam Longstaff, Jack Ribton, Sully Ismail, Peter Irvine, Alfie Bowman, Harry Tankard, Greg Wills, Jamie Malone, Ed Thompson, Ethan Morton, Stephen Wood, Rhys Spowart, Vuyo Nossa-Yabantu, Christian Selkirk, Ross Cleminson.

We have been able to put out a great back with Johnny McSorley, Tom Dias and Luke Foster continuing their front row combination. Some great talent in the back five with Ryan Gibson partnering with Darren Kelly in the second row. The back row is full of fetches in Joe Whelan, Alex Cokeley and Louis Matthews. Great to see Tom Taylor go back to back this week after making his return from injury last time out vs Wests.

Ollie Towe pulls on the 10 shirt this week after a nice cameo last week where he took the ball to the line and engaged defenders. Ian Ramsay returns to the 9 slot after some versatile performances at 9,7 and 14 !

The rest of the back line is pretty stacked with ability as Ben Jubb returns at 12 to partner Brandon Gilbert. Goal kicking duties will switch back to the ever reliant Shaun Stewart with Sam Bird and Isaac Robinson finish off the back line. Some serious gas on the bench in the two young flyers Dan Neill and Greg Abibu.

This fixture concludes our league season which has been a tough slog after losing almost an entire back line for work reasons - Jack Hearn, Eoghan Phillips, Gregor Stirling and Ben Wollerton leaving quite a void in our squad.

However, it has created opportunities for nearly 60 lads to play first team rugby.

The boys are looking forward to cup season with fixtures against North Shields and Northern 2's after Gosforth have pulled out of the competition. Two good performances would give us an opportunity to make the Plate Final due to be played on 22 April.

Up the Vos !