The 1st XV will play their first game of rugby since Acklam 3 weeks ago as they travel 90 minutes west to Cumbria to face off against the Counties 1 Cumbria league winners in Wigton RFC.

Wigton finished 20 points higher than any other team in their league this season so we know we will have a tough challenge ahead of us, however, cup rules means a bigger squad and with us welcoming back lads from injuries and other commitments we head into this fixture full of confidence and talent to take the game to our opponents at 15:00.

After Medicals dropped out of our first fixture 2 weeks ago it was decided we must travel for this round of 16 tie, as Wigton played away from home in their first fixture. Gutting not just for the 1st XV but the entire club as the hotly anticipated Novos Beer Festival returns this weekend! However, a spectacular lineup of drinks, entertainment, food and most importantly rugby, will be taking place tomorrow from 12:00 so hopefully the lads can return back to enjoy the celebrations with a win tucked under their belt!

Moving onto the actual squad, we boast perhaps what could be seen to be our best team fielded so far this year. To prove it, let's name the team from back to front this week and start with the finishers on the bench.

Brandon Gilbert sits in the 22 shirt, after returning from his adventure in Asia he has grafted hard to get back up to fitness and stake his claim for a place back in the team. Lewis Chater joins him at 21 as a utility back capable of playing almost anywhere in the backline, a player that can seriously swing the balance of a rugby game.

As for the forward finishers, 3 players grace the 22man squad, that, if you saw them named as the starting 6,7 and 8 you wouldn't blink twice. Louis Matthews a standout player from last season, Tom Westgarth, a colt graduate who really impressed before his move away for university and Seb Shilling another brilliant young talent who can cover both second and back row. Finally, the front row sees Morgan Scrace return back from injury and Solomon Mak who helps us out massively as a last minute replacement for Callum Todd who had to drop out due to work commitments.

Moving onto the starting XV, Ant McQuillan and Dave Lawson both once again sit as loosehead and tighthead props, after enjoying themselves last week with a run out against a touring Netherlands side, both will be eager to get stuck into some more serious rugby tomorrow, Ant, proficient at scrum time has come on a long way in the past year and Dave, a powerhouse around the park is the same. Sion Gittins will be the glue in the middle for them both, his throwing and rugby skill will be a huge asset for us as we welcome him back after some time away playing for Newcastle University.

In the second row we have some familiar faces that have usually been starting week in week out alongside each other this season, Jonny 'the horse' Allton and Jeremy Hunt will pack down again to dish out a mix of brute force and skill against what we expect to be a fairly physical Wigton pack.

Finally, comes perhaps the strongest set of players in the squad, the back row compromises of George Bambrick, Rob Baldwin and Dylan Gittins. Bambrick, a player that leads by example in every game he plays putting his body on the line. Baldwin, the clubs top try scorer for this season getting us over the white line from nowhere numerous times, and finally Gittins, after spending the season away at uni now returns to bring his rugby ability
back into this team.

As for the backs, the half back remain fairly consistent to what they have been all year. Merlane stays wearing the 9 shirt and Farley, after now returning from an unfortunate eye injury away to medicals will stick in the 10 slot.

The centers compromise of both Michael Searle and Ben Jubb again, a strong pairing as always that will be hoping to match the physicality of Wigton in the midfield but open up the play as well when necessary.

Last but not least finishing of the team is our electric back 3. Sam Cleife and Max Cook both take a wing each and will be expecting to run rings around our opposition on harder ground, and finally, the clubs all time top scorer Sam Busby slots into his familiar full-back position to do the same.

So, if you have an extra 90 minutes to spare there and back, come down and support the lads in getting one step closer to Twickenham in May, but if not then make sure you head on down to the clubhouse for midday to enjoy what's expected to be a Beerfest Bonanza! See you there!

1st XV Meet at the club to leave At 11:45
Kick Off - 15:00 At Wigton