On Saturday, the club plans to host a minute's silence before proceedings kick off at 14:00 with a total of 6 teams taking part on pitch 1. We invite all those in the rugby community to join us, whether you are an avid ‘Novo’ like Jack or only heard of the club just recently, anyone and everyone is welcome to come down and spend a minute remembering the life of a wonderful lad.

Some brilliant organisation and management from coaches and volunteers has meant that for the first time in a long time, Novos will be able to host 3 home games across 3 different pitches, welcoming two Sunderland sides and a Houghton team to Sutherland Park, all for 14:00 kick offs.

The 1st XV can anticipate a 1st vs 2nd clash, as both teams head into the fixture in the same placings they were when they first clashed earlier this season. Sunderland came up trumps in that game but, ‘Fortress Vos’ is no easy place to visit, and our results from this season and last speak for themselves.

Despite the odd injury here and there, we field a confident and strong team for tomorrow, the front row consists of prop Tom Taylor, who will be eager to exact his revenge on the Sunderland pack after an unfortunate outing last time around, next to him stand Ben Rodgers and David Lawson, two real powerhouse props that can at times prove to be the point of difference in a rugby game, it will be very exciting to see how these three get on.

Just behind them we have the welcome return of Jonathan Allton to the second row after some time away with work and he pairs up with the ever-reliable disruptor Jeremy Hunt. Darren Kelly makes the move into the back row to accomodate for the return of Allton, but in turn this allows him to drive the team around the park alongside captain George Bambrick in the 7 shirt. The leagues, now second top try scorer rounds of the pack as Rob Baldwin keeps tight hold of the number 8 shirt.

The back remains strong as they have done in the past couple of weeks, Harry Tankard returns from an unfortunate illness to play in the outside center channel whilst Michael Searle retains his duties at number 12.

Orchestrating the team around the park however will be Josh Farley at number 10, his absence in the away fixture was definitely evident during the game and it will be exciting to see how much he can change the game.

Finally, the back 3 remains untouched from last week, with the exception of Sam Busby moving from 13 to his familiar spot at full back. Cleife, Cook and Busby will be looking to exploit any holes they can out wide on familiar turf after all 3 were at times the point of difference last week against Hartlepool.

Finally, on the bench we have some real depth, Ant McQuillin is set to help steady the scrum if needed and hard-hitting George Jowitt is able to replace any of the front 5 whenever needs be. And lastly but certainly not least, mercurial talent Lewis Chater grabs the 18 shirt to replace any position in the backline if necessary.

It promises to be a memorable day, should the weather hold firm. We hope to see everybody there to get around one another and raise a glass at the end of the day in the bar to a friend gone too soon – For Jack.

1st XV Meet Time – 12:30

2nd XV Meet Time – 12:45

3rd XV Meet Time – 12:45