After a dominant win over Ponteland last week we head to Ryton for a top of the table clash. Ryton have been the seasons big movers after finishing seventh last season with 9 wins and 13 losses. Clearly we will have to adapt quickly to what must be a stronger group of lads than last season. Saying that they probably should have one a gam or two against us over the years. We have some how managed to win despite having about 40% of the ball on most occasions.

As we head toward the silly weeks regarding availability, we see some changes this week. Johnny McSorley comes back into the group as we try to power up our front rower in the absence of Tom Taylor. McSorley's scrum coaching has been a massive reason for our much improved scrum in recent seasons. We change hookers as well as Sion Gittins gets the start after missing last weeks game. The front row is completed in the form of Morgan Scrace. The Northumbria Uni student had a great game last week against a heavy Ponteland front row.

The boiler house is unchanged as we go for our biggest second rowers for the third week in a row. Jonny Cotterill and Jonny Allton were fantastic last week as we edged the Ponteland scrum in the first half and won a high percentage of our lineouts.

Despite Dylan Gittins being unavailable we have a great trio of back rowers out. Louis Matthews has had two cameos in a row of the bench which now gets him a start at six this week. A lot of line breaks from Matthews over the last two games. At seven is George Bambrick, immense last week in all facets of the game. The well balanced trio is completed by Rob Baldwin who took it open himself to set the tone with the opening carry last week. Off the back fence he took the kick off and scanned for a victim before sitting down the defender with a big bump off.

More changes at nine as I comes Cameron Wallace, back from return to play protocol. Wallace had an outstanding start to the season with cover tackles, immaculate passing and a number of 50/22's before a head knock at Medicals. We are looking forward to seeing his combination with Sam Evans who has made a real impact in his first two league outings. Another great distributor who has an eye for an attacking kick as well as the ability to probe the defensive line.

In the middle it is Michael Searle and Ben Jubb once again - incredibly balanced pairing with go forward and ball winning ability from hits or jackals. Captain Jubb was outstanding last week with post contact metres and a few big hits.

The back three is unchanged from last week as Sam Cleife is in great form in the last couple of fixtures as is Harry Tankard. Both wingers have real gas and are great at finding space. Sam Busby puts on the 15 shirt once again. The leagues top try scorer was difficult to stop again against Ponteland. Not even the mud could stop him from making several line breaks.

The finishers this week have a different look as we carry to front rowers in the form of Ben Rodgers and David Medjigbodo-Lawson. Expecting our opponents to regard their weight advantage as a weapon we have chosen to try counter this with energy over the 80 mins. 18th man this week once again is Max Cook. Another gas man off the bench who will hopefully find some space and the ball in the second half.

Should be a cracker of a match with the Ryton pushing us all the way for the xmas number one spot. A win for us will guarantee us top of the table over the festive period no matter what happens the following week against Gateshead.

1st XV to play Ryton (a) 1400, meet at Vos for lifts at 1200.
Johnny McSorley, Sion Gittins, Morgan Scarce, Jonny Allton, Jonny Cotterill, Louis Matthews, George Bambrick, Rob Baldwin, Cameron Wallace, Sam Evans, Harry Tankard, Michael Searle, Ben Jubb, Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, Ben Rodgers, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Max Cook

2nd XV to play Ryton (a) 1400, meet at Vos for lifts at 1200.
Harry Mason, Ant McQuillin, Dom Burns, Owen Hayton, Jez Hunt, Oli Taylor, Dan Morosan, Sam Bird, Ted Old, Matthew Russell, Adam Lambert, Brandon Gilbert, Ewan Dryden, Chyaro Hylton, Harvey Gadsden, Sol Mak, Nathan Tizard, George Jowitt, Alex Henry, Ben Walker, Simeon Archibald, Matthew Knox, Christian Selkirk

Throwback Thursday info to follow....up the Vos !