We didnt set out with a plan to be top of the table at Xmas but after seven games we are in pole position. Ponteland, Ryton and Gateshead stand in our way - three difficult games but the group are in a strong place at the moment with competition for places tougher than ever.

In an attempt to go for our heaviest pack over the next few weeks there are some changes in the tight five. In comes Ben Rodgers at hooker and Morgan Scrace at tighthead. Packing down alongside regular loosehead Tom Taylor they will be tasked with providing front foot ball for our backs.

In the boiler house are our two biggest second rows in Jonny Cotterill and Jonny Allton. The pair scrummaged well against a much heavier pack last week in Hartlepool. In addition, Cotterill has provided us with real lineout presence.

The back row is full of familiar faces as Rob Baldwin moves back to six to allow Dylan Gittins back at eight. Baldwin is starting to look back to his best recently, sitting down a fair few tacklers the last couple of weeks. His season has been a slow starter after a groin injury in pre season. Gittins missed last weeks game but will be chomping at the bit to make his mark on thsi game. Our Co-captain has been in outstanding form this season in both attack and defence. The back row is completed with George Bambrick in the seven shirt. After a quiet season last year he is back to his best - linking with the backs, supporting line breaks as well as his usual efforts in defence.

The nine/ten combination remains as Rhys Merlane keeps his shirt after a strong performance in his last two outings. He is partnered by Sam Evans, a new signing who played his first league game for us last week. An outstanding prospect who can also play fullback if needed.

Our midfield could be the strongest pairing in the league - well balanced with the gain line threat of Michael Searle and the rugby IQ of Co-captain Ben Jubb. The pair have been in fine form scoring, assisting and putting in big hits in defence.

The back three is strong as well in the form of speedsters Sam Cleife and Harry Tankard. Cleife has scored four tries in his last two games after a run of game in our 2's. He has taken his chance with two hands and deserves his spot on the right wing. Tankard has two tries in three games but also has a couple of assists. The trio is complete in the form of the leading try scorer in the league, Sam Busby. Our record try scorer for the club has been in scintillating form this season with tries and assists every week

The finishers this week include David Medjigbodo-Lawson who was outstanding for our 2's last week. He will be tasked with keeping our scrummaging standards up throughout the 80 mins. If we need some energy off the bench we have it in abundance when Louis Matthews enters the game. Two tries last week in the last 40 mins against Hartlepool including a 50m run beating 4-5 defenders. The 18th man is Max Cook, a regualr first teamer last season who has had a run of games with the 2's. Crazy that a player of Cook's calibre has had to wait so long for another opportunity. However, the depth of our backline at the moment is sensational.

So a great squad selected, no excuses if we can't get across the line. Our results against Ponteland last season were a rare low point in what was an excellent season. We lost the away game in a shocking performance and could only draw at home in February. However, we are a different beast this season in terms of skill, attitude and desire.

Up the Vos !

1st XV to play Ponteland (h) 1400, 1230 meet
Tom Taylor, Ben Rodgers, Morgan Scrace, Jonny Cotterill, Jonny Allton, Rob Baldwin, George Bambrick, Dylan Gittins, Rhys Merlane, Sam Evans, Harry Tankard, Michael Searle, Ben Jubb, Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Louis Matthews, Max Cook