Novos continue to move from strength to strength off the field with ranks swelled in all sections of the club, it means FIVE senior mens team trot out on Saturday as well as three Junior games – add to that the international games being shown and live Music and quality pies (The meaty kind) on offer its looking like Novos is the place to be this weekend!!

Ashington provide the opposition at 1st, 3rd and 4th team level while Ponteland and Bishop Auckland lie in wait for the 2nds and 5ths

Novos were provided a massive boost this week with the appearance at training of Newcastle Falcon Tane Tuipolotu not a new signing unfortunately but he is helping us with coaching and his input was certainly valuable and much appreciated as he highlighted some skills that have been lacking and got us working through some new drills that certainly stretched the skill levels and will hopefully see some improvements. It is hoped Tane enjoyed the session and will be back to offer us some more help over the season! (He is not available for the exiles next week though Tommy!!)

The first team visit Ashington to renew an old rivalry, last year both sides were competing in Durham and Northumberland Division One and Ashingon did the double over on the opening and closing games of the season last year so Novos will be hoping to make up for that on Saturday. Ashington lie in 5th place having initially started very strongly collecting big wins they have seen their form dip and lost to Bishop Auckland, Rockliffe, Seaton Carew and Hartlepool in recent weeks, knowing Ashington this just makes them even more dangerous and especially at home with a potent and hefty pack this will be a very stern test for Novos as they look to mount a challenge to get back amongst the promotion candidates before the 2nd round of fixtures kicks off.

Novos return to form during November has seen them secure tough wins over Barnard Castle and North Shields despite being decimated with a raft of injuries and unavailabilities but are fortunate to name a strong squad to travel North. It’s a real luxury in some ways to have so much strength in depth but its difficult to work out what your strongest team is but the lads playing at the moment are making it hard for those on the outside – the only way in is to come down training and prove a point which is swelling numbers to 40+ on Tuesdays and Thursdays so it’s a really positive environment and strong camp we have at the minute.

Up front Novos welcome back Pete Twentyman alongside Ben Walker and Paul Olding who gets the nod over Matt Miles. The second Row has a powerful look about it with Mark Curphey joining Gav Evans in the middle of the pack. The usual suspects are in the back row with Louis Whitworth, Ben Merrett and Alex Littlefair who also deputises as captain in the absence of Jamie Wallace.

Joe Stamper and Rich Harrison continue at half back while Rob Squire moves inside to partner Dan Bollado in the centre, James Parkinson and Shaun Stewart are winging it with Jonny Ward at full back.

On the bench Gus Graham, Darren McCrory and Andy Gardiner all return to the squad.

The 2nds have a big game with Ponteland hoping for a win that will lift them off the foot of UBS Candy league 2 – since stepping up to the new league Novos have found the step up in competition tough but having said that have generally ran sides close, Ponteland have found form recently but still sit just above Novos in the table.

Fielding a much changed line up Novos will be hoping some new players can provide the impetus for the win in what will be a real tough game at home.

Up front Mark Allison and James Forbes prop with Matt Miles hoping to prove a point from hooker after missing out on the first team this week. In the 2nd row Liam Pape lines up with Sam Dixon and in the back row Ben Alves comes in for a debut with Liam Savage and Michael Reidy.

Justin Taylor comes in at scrum half and Jack Callaghan is handed an opportunity at fly half, Skipper Chris Fife joins Richie Mitchell in the centre and out wide Aaron Worthington and George Hazell have plenty of pace with James Bass at full back.

On the bench Dave Addison and Jimmy Byers are joined by Tom Lewin, the grandson of Alickadoo and ex Novos wing Jim Lewin.

The 3rds are also at home with Ashington 2nds making the journey south with captain Craig Paterson feeling the loss of all three Wilsons but still able to name an admirably strong squad including Mike Cousins, Paddy Davies, Jimmy Desmond, exciting prospects Krissy Welsh and Liam Rice, Mark Hemmings Jamie Humble and Jason Mcdermott all capable of moving up the sides.

The Centurians travel to Ashington to face their 3rds who have been on a good run recently but the form of Chris Cursons men is also good so they will be hoping to use the pace of the like of Chris Yeoman and David Sears out wide to continue the winning run.

The Kestrels travel to face Bishop Auckland 4ths – a club enjoying similar swelling of numbers to Novos, Skipper Andy Croft does his usual trick of coercing the retired veterans out of retirement with the promise of ‘one more match’ along with some sprinkling of youngsters such as Brandon Lish to do the running (and bidding) of superstars such as Rory Clarke, James Shallcross, Chris Donabie, Duncan Mckenzie, Clive Carlin and Nick Cotterill