This weekend the first team host Consett for the first time since the 2017-18 season. That fixture ended in a 31-19 win for the visitors with only Josh Stacey, Luke Menzfeld, George Bambrick, Shaun Stewart and Isaac Robinson will be taking the field on Saturday having also played in the previous outing. Six other players are still at the club from that day but are either playing for other teams, injured or unavailable.
We have had some epic encounters against Consett in recent times - the two clubs have shared the last ten fixtures. However, prior to their promotion season we had won four out of the last five. Some of the boys will even remember the fixture in April of 2014 when we were seconds from relegation with Consett ahead on the final play and the Ponteland lads delighted with what they were seeing. Captain that day was Alex Littlefair who rose in the lineout to win the ball on Consett's throw. We recycled the ball phase after phase before Jez Nash scored in the corner to give us a 22-17 win and condemn Ponteland to relegation - beers !
Saturdays opponents are flying high at the top of the table having only dropped one point out of a possible 35 ! The fixture list was kind to them as they have been able to build from the start with wins over Rockcliff, Acklam, Gatehsead, Barnard Castle and Rovers. This set them up for two huge victories over rival promotion candidates South Shields & Westoe then a great result over Northern on Saturday.
Novos are in some what of a different position after a poor result last Saturday to Medicals where we did not show enough balance in our attack. In addition, we sustained injuries to Rich Harrison (broken jaw) and Ben Merrett (everything but his jaw) So you could say it's backs to the wall for the boys and we need to come out fighting.
Squad - Josh Stacey, Daniel Shuttleworth, Luke Menzfeld, Tom Cox, Kit Sorenson, Andy Hall, George Bambrick, Alex Littlefair (v.captain) Paddy Sowter, Sam Devey, Shaun Stewart (captain) Eoghan Phillips, Jack Hearn, Sam Bird, Ben Wollerton, Luke Foster, Craig Eales and Isaac Robinson.
There are a lot of positives despite last weeks injuries and this weeks unavailability. In the pack we see the return of Andy Hall refreshed from his honeymoon and ex club captain Alex Littlefair who missed the first part of the season. In addition, Paddy Sowter returns at nine for an opportunity to prove himself. Off the bench we hope to see the debut of Craig Eales who has impressed since his arrival at the club and perhaps Pat Smith. A recent acquisition from Paviors - our second player from this club after Tom Winning had a great season before returning to Nottingham. Should Pat's registration not come through in time his position will go to Isaac Robinson who was unavailable last weekend.
I'm looking forward to the weekend with nervous anticipation as there is of course the other matter of the All Blacks vs England. In 41 matches England have won 7 times with NZ needing 15 points to go past 1000 in this fixture. I think the two starting 15's are as close as they have ever been but I think NZ finishers are stronger when they go to the bench. Will both results go against the odds for a Novos and England win ? Bookies beware - adamant that whoever wins this match will win the whole thing.
Enjoy the weekend, whoever you are cheering for. Up the Vos !