Novos can travel with confidence to Barnard Castle on Saturday on the back of a fine start to the season. The environment at training has been excellent allowing for match prep to be done prior to each fixture. We have not beaten Barney for a few seasons but we are hopeful of a good performance to back up winning the last three league fixtures.

Barnard Castle are a regular top four club and we will have to be at our best to get a positive result. Feedback has been that they have out scrummaged most of their opponents and have some fine players. However, we should be encouraged that last years match winners in Chris Wearmouth and Chris McTurk have moved on.

Despite our winning run we have been forced to make changes due to the unavailability of Josh Stacey and Paddy Sowter. Back in comes Luke Menzfeld to cover the front row and Greg Humphreyson is to play at nine. In addition, we welcome back Tom Cox who was outstanding against Ponteland but was unfortunately unable to play last week due to work commitments. Finally, Jez Nash and Jonny Ward take up their rightful places in what is becoming a dangerous back line.

At home our 2nd xv, 3rd xv and 4th xv all play at home which should be a great social opportunity.

1st xv at Barnard Castle - Pete Twentyman, Daniel Shuttleworth, Euan Duncan, Adam McDonald, Tom Cox, Sean Ramsay, George Bambrick, Alex Littlefair, Greg Humphreyson, Shaun Stewart, Jez Nash, Sam Busby, James Bass, Jonny Ward, Luke Menzfeld, Ben Merrett and Henry Wilson.

2nd xv - Tom Dias, Zach Weatherhead, Gus Graham, Ian Pratt, Chris Ward, Alex Cokeley, Dan Hipps, Chris Law, Billy Porter, Nick Bellamy, Mark Leckie, Ben Melrose, Tim Hart, Ben Kelly, David Marshall, Andy Hall, Christian Selkirk and John Marshall

3rd xv - Craig Patterson, George Waterhouse, Alex Milton, Ben Silk, Neil Spence, Ian Ramsay, Josh Kaufman, Alex Cleminson, Stephen Wood, Jack Pellew, Jonny Bulfin, Will Horlock, Charlie Willis, Toby Sands, Matt Bradford

4th xv - Ian Wood, Ryan Crowson, Stephen Thompson, Chris Brown, Ali Leverett, Richard Gardener, Will Darragh, Rhys Gibbons, Rory Davidson, Will Evans, Paul Fitch, Gus Walker, Tom Burford, Sean Isherwood, Harry Symonds.

Subs for both matches - Alan Pitchford, Ben Holman, Glen Fife, James Hamilton, Jonny Lowes, Nathan Dent, Ben Charmer.

Any other players available please turn up with boots at 1400 and I am sure you will be able to have a run and a few pints afterwards !

Up the Vos !