Match Preview

We head into this fixture on the back of a solid away win against Acklam 24-14. A few enforced changes from that squad as George Bambrick, Sam Bird and Paddy Sowter are unavailable. In addition, we rotate a couple of players to allow Ross Radford and Christian Selkirk opportunities to play against their old club.

Novos welcome back their captain this week in Pete Twentyman - his follow me example has been a big miss in recent weeks. Craig Eales gets his first start after two great cameos off the bench where he dictated the battle for the gain line. Sam Devey, Ben Wollerton and Pat Smith come into the squad after not being available last week. Smith will be on debut - a utility back with much promise from Paviors RFC, home of last seasons star defender Tom Winning.

The pack has fantastic mobility with 5-6 back rowers in the starting eight with Josh Stacey and Luke Menzfeld off the bench to add bulk to the pack once the pitch gets heavy and cut up. Out wide we have a balanced mix of pace and guile who will hope to get front foot ball and find space.

Gateshead had a great result last week and are always dangerous with a young back line and a desire to move the ball. It has been great to see that despite some player departures they have continued to put three teams out most weeks. Something they should be very proud of and I am sure their game against our fours will be a great match.

Friday Matches are as follows :

2nd xv vs Newcastle Uni Freshers Friday at 1930 - Tom Dias, Nicky Yielder, Brendan Thomas, Ian Pratt (captain) Adam MacDonald, Sean Ramsay, Louis Matthews, George Bambrick, Greg Humphreyson, Nick Bellamy, Ben Kelly (vice captain) Ethan Cave, Ben Forbes, Dylan Murphy, Tim Hart, Jeff Burke, Jack Salt, Alex Cokeley, Blair Tweedie, Cam Carmichael, Isaac Robinson, David Bowman, Connor Taylor

Vets at Rockcliff at 1900 - Richie Mitchell, Matt Bradford, John Coffey, Clive Carlin, Luke Mitchell, James Forbes, Adam Longstaff, Andy Gardiner, JP Addison, Ben Merrett, Johnny Smith, Ian Wood, Andy Ashwell, Neil Murphy, Alan Pitchford, Neil Spence and Lee Histed

Saturday matches are as follow :

1st xv vs Gateshead 1415 (h) - Andy Hall, Daniel Shuttleworth, Pete Twentyman (captain) Tom Cox, Ross Radford, Craig Eales, Darren Kelly, Alex Littlefair, Christian Selkirk, Sam Devey, Shaun Stewart, Jez Nash (vice captain) Eoghan Phillips, Ben Kelly, Ben Wollerton, Luke Menzfeld, Josh Stacey, Pat Smith.

3rd xv at Durham 1415 (a) - Ollie Dearden, Jeff Burke, Alan Pitchford, George Preston, Harri Riddick, Josh Kaufmann, Gus Nye, Ben Silk, Jonny Martin, Jack Pellew (captain) Zac Weatherhead, Dan Stalmeister, Nathan Squires, Fraser Green, David Bowman, Rob Reid, Neil Spence, Brendan Thomas, John Marshall, Ben Melrose, Nick Moss, Ben Forbes, Isaac Robinson, Alex Cokeley, Alexander Horne

4th xv vs Gateshead 1415 (h) from - John Watson, Stevie Thompson (captain) Ian Wood, James Coles, Nash Katsande, Scott Leggetter, Andrew Chambers, Ricky Humble, Matt Willis, Will Evans, Richie Howe, Michael Booth, Ross Grasper, Jayden Hayes, Jamie Malone, Dan Green, Michael Worth, Will Darragh, Alex Carr, Jack Deegan, Andy Finn, Howard Snaith, Ross Cleminson, Chris Davidson, Dan Guy, Gareth Davies, James Hornwell, Paul Fitch

101 different players putting on a Novos shirt on this weekend. Up the Vos !