Tonight Novos Veterans take on Rockcliff Veterans in a clash of the old and frail! Andy Leonard is keen to bounce back after a defeat which ended his long winning streak. The game will take place underneath our new lights. KO 19:00.

Saturday sees a real festival of rugby. The Royal Grammar School kick off the proceedings with an 11:00 match against George Watson's from Edinburgh - that is sure to be a cracker of a game. The school were in good form last Thursday at Sutherland Park with a resounding victory over the U18 Norhtumberland side.

Kicking off at 13:30 sees Novos Colts take on Blyth Colts. We all watch with great interest, as Novos have been reaping the benefits of our improved youth system in recent seasons.

The 1st XV then kick off the Durham/Northumberland 1 season, how they finished it. At home to Darlington!

An unchanged front row of Goodman, Twentyman and Darlo old boy, Menzfeld start. Iain Dodds, fresh from his angry cycle across the country, joins Chris Ward in at lock. Josh Igoe is moved back to blindisde, with skipper Alex Littlefair at openside. Debutant, Alex Westgarth, played for England Student's last season and we're delighted to have him join our ranks. Of course it was a matter of time before he joined Novos, just like his dad did in 1984. Kevin played 26 1st XV games in 1984-85, scoring 4 tries. Can you beat that Alex? We are all intrigued to see the outcome!

Cillian O'Shaugnessy keeps his place at scrum half after impressing in his debut last week. Richard Dodd is called into stand off. The centre partnership of Nash and Ward stay the same, as does the back three of Moloney, Busby and Parkinson. Josh Stacey, Shaun Stewart and Lewis Chater make up the bench.

The 2nd XV face a tough trip to Blaydon, where Ben Melrose has never won as a captain for the second team. Fingers crossed his side do him justice, with their very strong squad.

Alex Milton, Matt Baraclough, and debutant Andrew Steinberg start in the front row. We welcome back Jack Spoor into the fold at second row, with Jonny Bird. Will Doyle, Michael Nugent and Joe Ball slot into the back row.

An experienced back line welcomes Andrew Maxwell at scrum half and Richard Harrison at fly half. We welcome back Harry Clark at 12 and Jan Safranek at 13. James Bass, Peter Kay and Nick Byrne make up the back three. Bryn De Ivey, Sam Bird, Peter Wilson and Euan Binmore are on the bench.

The mighty 3s travel to the coast, to face Whitley Bay Rockcliff 2nd XV, in the first of a tough season of league games.The Novos side is a healthy mix of young and old faces, with some exciting new players making their debuts.

Paul Sanderson starts at loosehead, providing his wisdom and experience to the Novos pack. Hooker, sees effervescent John Paul Addison back for another season and will be seen throwing in straight all afternoon. Shaun O'Connell, still fighting for a 10/12 spot, starts the match at tighthead, though will mainly be seen throwing behind-the-back passes in the loose.

The second row sees Jack Salt, playing in the position he’s told and hitting every ruck, and the venerable Andrew Croft playing in yet another position in the scrum as well as providing the first much anticipated match report. An unfamiliar back row is comprised of new boy Neil Andrew Smith at blindside, young Dom Byrne at openside, and “Mike Cousin’s mate” Darren Hodgson at 8, also making his debut. They will all be looking to impress to keep the fat old boys out of the team when they return in a few weeks.

Christian Selkirk gets the nod at 9, and will be showing immaculate discipline all game. Brummie, Greg Humphreyson is a welcome return to fly-half, and will be bossing the play if anyone can understand him.
In the centres, the tenacious Tommy Wilson will be hoping to carry on from his superb form last season, while Mark Hemmings, captaining the side in the absence of the glorious leader, will keep him company at 13.

The young and frighteningly quick back 3 of James Jeffrey, James Weaver and convert Joel Mckale will be looking for some clean ball to show everyone just how dangerous they are
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The bench, limited to 3 this season, sees another talented 9 in Justin Taylor back from a tough season with injury, looking to stay fit for more than 5 minutes. Mat Telford provides much needed forward cover with Daniel Charlton completing a strong looking squad as a back replacement.

Young Tom Wilson, if his body works after Friday night’s vets match, will also travel as cheerleader and backup, as well as the glue that holds the whole operation together. Though the squad will be hoping for a warm up that doesn’t resemble marine fitness training.

That's not all, however! On Sunday, not only do the minis return to training at Sutherland Park, but the ladies host West Bridgford for their first league game of the season.

Yost, Miller and Ingoe make up the front three. Pollard and Mockford at lock. Eccles, Fouin and skipper, Neagle in the back row. Sedgworth and Struth at half back. Nichol and Kane in the centres, with a pacey back three of Bennett, Cooper and Oliver.

With so much going on, be sure to come down to catch some of the action.