Medicals arrive at Sutherland Park on Saturday in fine form with 4 wins from their last 6 matches incl wins over Gateshead, Acklam, Whitby, Ponteland and narrow losses to Durham City (26-19) and Barnard Castle (36-27) They will offer much stronger opposition then their league position suggests as their early season wobbles look way behind them.

After a reasonable showing against Northern in terms of effort we will need to show an improved understanding of how to play wet weather rugby. Last week we handed the initiative to Northern due to some poor decision making in attack and at the break down -where we heavily penalised.

Last weeks squad has been altered as out go Andy Hall (injury) Paddy Sowter (injury) Henry Wilson (u/available). However, this allows for the return of Rich Harrison, Jez Nash and Jonny Ward to the back line as well as Ben Merrett in the pack. The return of these three backs is massive as last season Medicals kicked well against an inexperienced back three. However, with Ward, Sam Busby and Ben Wollerton looking to cover the corners hopefully we will find opportunities to counter this time out.

First Team at home vs Medicals @ 1415 - Pete Twentyman (Capt) Daniel Shuttleworth, Josh Stacey, Adam McDonald, Tom Cox, Shaun Stewart, Stephen Hughes-Narborough, Sean Ramsay, Lewis Chater, Rich Harrison, Ben Wollerton, Jez Nash, Tom Winning, Jonny Ward, Sam Busby. Subs - Euan Duncan, Ben Merrett, Chris Ward.

Second Team at Darlington Mowden Park - Weatherhead, Waterhouse, Dearden, Carmichael, Pratt, Nye, Law, Cleminson, Selkirk, Humphreyson, Kelly, Marshall J, Lishman, Bass, Marshall D, Winterhalder, Walker, Porter, Bulfin, Wood

Fourth Team at Ponteland - Forbes, McQuillin, Reid, Shanahan, Thomas, Brown, Silk, Crowson, Davidson, Evans, Glasper, Jones, Tait, Holman, Loves, Thompson C, McKenna, Hemmings, Sears, Watson, Gibbons

Good luck to all our teams and see you at 1800 for speeches.

Up the Vos !!