Gateshead arrive at Fortress Vos, a place where we have only lost two home games since a loss to West Hartlepool in Mar 2023. However, is history actually in Gateshead's favour.

Club historian Chris Ward states that in 1998 North Durham and Gateshead merged to form the modern day club. Whilst this is our 21st game against the current Gateshead side we have in fact played a total of 193 games combined against the three clubs. A win percentage of only 33% after just 63 wins.

Novos first ever match was against North Durham 2's in Sept 1899, a 0-14 away loss. Our biggest win was over North Durham in 1980, a 50-0 result. However, we have also had our worst ever loss against Gateshead 36-91 in 2015.

Prior to Covid-19 we win both our league meetings with the most recent being in November 2019 - a 19-0 home win with Andy Hall, Christian Selkirk and Dan Shuttleworth scoring tries. Shaun Stewart adding two conversions.

Our 2's last away win was back in March with a strong 36-5 win in Candy 2 North.

Squad wise the pack is almost unchanged with the only alteration being Jez Hunt who comes in for George Bambrick who was injured last week.

Likewise there is not much change outside although the 9 and 10 roles see the return of Rhys Merlane and Josh Farley.

On the bench we see Owen Hayton and Brandon Gilbert come back in to the 18 after fine performances for the 2's.

So the squad is pretty settled from last week and are given an opportunity to bounce back from last weeks loss. A win will see us top the table at Xmas. Not something we set out to do but after improving our work ons, we find ourselves top with one game to go before the break.

1st XV to play Gateshead at home 1400, meet 1230
Johnny McSorley, Sion Gittins, Morgan Scrace, Jonny Allton, Jonny Cotterill, Jez Hunt, Louis Matthews, Rob Baldwin, Rhys Merlane, Josh Farley, Harry Tankard, Michael Searle, Ben Jubb, Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Owen Hayton, Brandon Gilbert

2nd XV to play Gateshead away at 1400, meet at Vos 1200 for lifts
Ant McQuillin, Rhys Gibbons, Dom Burns, Oli Taylor, Alex Henry, Dan Morosan, Ben Walker, Sam Bird, Ted Old, Matthew Russell, Harvey Gadsden, Harry Mason, Ewan Dryden, Luke Masters, Adam Lambert, Shaun O'Connell, Alex Cokeley, Zac Smith, Matthew Knox, Christian Selkirk, Stewart Wilson, Takreem Faheem

Reminder that it is the Jack Bolam Memorial game on 20th December. Reach out to Magnus Leask if you want to play, or we will just see you there for a beer as we remember a great Novocastrian.

Go well lads - up the Vos !