Novos enter the fixture with 3rd place secured whilst Medicals currently sit in 4th. Should Guisborough and Sunderland both lose their respective fixtures the title and promotion may still be up for grabs for the home side, who would be sat in 1st place had it not been the result of an unfortunate 5 point deduction before the season began. Regardless of external results on Saturday it will be Novo’s highest ever finish under head coach Magnus Leask.

Medicals on the other hand can’t move any higher in the standings but will have lots of motivation to avoid 5th place Ryton who are snapping at their heels.

Alongside the drama of a 3rd Vs 4th showdown, we also have endless entertainment for all spectators to enjoy, partly thanks to the wonderful sponsors of Ringtons Tea! We won the Ringtons Tea cup a year ago against Ponteland and the whole club will be hoping to retain that honour!

The hotly anticipated Novo’s beer festival will also resume proceedings at 5:30 until 12:00am! after a successful initial opening night. Accompanying the wide selections of Ale, Lager and Ciders will be a Gin and Prosecco bar as well as delicious pizzas served up by Scream For Pizza as well as live music throughout the night. It’s certainly going to be a Saturday to remember so make sure to get yourselves there for the 3:00 kickoff and stick around for the fun afterwards!

Thank you to all the volunteers in and around the club who have worked tirelessly around the clock to put this event together, the whole club thanks you and it is sure to be an incredible event come Saturday evening.

The team hoping to deliver on Saturday is a strong one. A mix of youth and experience, flair and power to put our best foot forward for what we know will be one of the biggest games of the season. Johnny McSorley, who demolished the Medicals scrum the last time we played them at home starts in the front row again this week, partnered by Sion Gittins and Tom Taylor.

In the second row is the ever reliable Jeremy Hunt and Alex Watson, a fine pairing who will be a struggle to match for any team in this league. The back row is strong as always, Dylan Gittins and Louis Matthews who both were on the score sheet against Ryton play 8 and 6 and captain George Bambrick packs down at 7 to complete the pack.

Rhys Merlane moves back to scrum-half after a short stint on the wing last week and top try scorer this season Lewis Chater retains the starting shirt at fly-half.

In the Centres, Michael Searle returns after a long time away working to wear the 12 shirt, and outside him Ben Jubb keeps hold of 13.

The back three is comprised of pace and nothing less, Brandon Gilbert and Harry Tankard secure the two wings and Sam Busby slots in at full-back. A deadly trio bound to pounce on any opportunity they get.

Tom Dias, who has been missed will take up the 16 shirt, Johnny Allton who probably scored the try of the season 2 weeks ago will wear 17, and finally the promising youngster and debutant Josh Farley will wear 18.

Its going to be an incredible spectacle and certainly not one to miss so make sure you get there and bring the family for a 3:00 kick off at Sutherland Park Saturday 6th April. We can’t wait to see you there!

1st XV – Meet time 13:30 for a 15:00 kickoff – Johnny McSorley, Sion Gittins, Tom Taylor, Jeremy Hunt, Alex Watson, Louis Matthews, George Bambrick, Dylan Gittins, Rhys Merlane, Lewis Chater, Brandon Gilbert, Michael Searle, Ben Jubb, Harry Tankard, Sam Busby, Tom Dias, Johnny Allton, Josh Farley

2nd XV Vs Medicals 2s (H) – Meet time 12:45 for a 14:00 kickoff – Zach Weatherhead, Bart Farrier, Charlie Lawlor, Charlie Muse, Chris Ward, Dylan Mills, Simeon Archibald, Ewan Strachan, Ollie Towe, Shaun Stewart, Greg Wills, Sam Bird, Luke Masters, Greg Abibu, Michael Lehmann, Andrew McKenna, Alex Cokeley, Fraser Green, Isaac Robinson, Joe Kapur, Zac Smith, Alex Histed, Phil Howard-Johnson, James Douglas, Arthur Wallis, Tyler Liversidge, George Poole, Michael Scott, Barnaby Matthews

3rd XV Vs Ponteland 2s (A) – Meet time 13:00 for a 14:30 kickoff – James Devenish, Ant McQuillan, Ian Wood, Owen Reece-Jones, Daniel Sweeney, Thomas Platt, Rich Zabrocki, Tom Storey, Christian Selkirk, Harry Jones, Ross Cleminson, Lex Leonard, Tim Hart, Charlie Wilson, Ben Wilkinson, Jack Bolam, Craig Logue, Rohan Cook, Adam Longstaff, Ethan Morton, Josh Barnes

Up the Vos !