Every week will seem like a huge week in the run in till the end of the season. Saturday we take on Durham Uni who should be at full strength this week after a 45-32 win over Bishop Auckland. We were lucky to beat the uni side at the start of the season with a try from Alex Donaghy with 90 secs to play.

Difficult selection week with the weather expected to be pretty poor but the knowledge that we are on an astro at Maiden Castle. We have gone with a balanced side - big tight five, hardworking back rowers, two fly halves to try gain field position and a hope that some of last weeks rustiness will be gone.

The pack is unchanged despite a few 2's putting their hands up last week to push for selection. Got to be a first for us as the changes come on the bench. This week we only go for two forwards on the bench in the form of David Medjigbodo-Lawson and Simeon Archibald.

So Tom Taylor gets his first crack at the uni lads after missing the September fixture. Like last week he will have Morgan Scrace on the far side. Two great scrummagers who will need to attack the uni side to deny them an attacking platform. In between them is Sion Gittins, fresh from his man of the match performance against Darlington. He was everywhere last week in attack and defence.

Jonny Cotterill and Andrew Kirton have their second league run out together in the engine room. In Kirton, young Cotterill has a great player to learn off and be shown some of the dark arts of forward play. The ex Westoe man has added depth in a position we have struggled with in recent seasons. With Jonny Allton, Jez Hunt and Owen Hayton in the seconds we have suddenly got an abundance of options.

The back row is unchanged with a well balanced trio - George Bambrick in the trenches doing a lot of unseen work, Rob Baldwin looking for the Smashed Em Bro and then the glue that is Dylan Gittins. Our stand in captain was excellent last week to get the win in the absence of Ben Jubb.

Our back line doesnt show much change either as Rhys Merlane is the sole change at scrum half. Merlane was unavailable last week and will be chomping at the bit to make the shirt his for the upcoming games. He partners Josh Farley, the senior Northumberland RFU flyhalf switches roles this week with Sam Evans. The Ilkeston flyhalf has made a great impact early doors and looked comfortable in a 20-30 min cameo at full back last week.

Michael Searle and Harry Tankard partner up again - a well balanced duo of gain line ability and a wider attacking threat. Outside them are Brandon Gilbert who was excellent last week with a try and several telling involvements in attack and defence. On the right wing is the gas, Sam Cleife who also dotted down against Darlington. As mentioned, Evans starts at fullback from the off on Saturday - unreal to have two great kicking options at 10 and 15.

Max Cook gets the last shirt after a fine display for the 2's last week. Rounding off a strong squad which means the likes of Ben Rodgers, Johnny McSorley, Owen Hayton, Jonny Allton, Jez Hunt and George Jowitt are included in the 2's squad vs Ashington.

Training on Thursday is at the club, layer up and bring a towel as the weather looks bleak.

Should be two cracking games on Saturday as we try to stay top of the table for one more week. Noting that Ryton have a rearranged game on the 31st Jan before we play our catch up game vs Medical on the 7th Feb. Be nice to become the chaser for that period having been at the top all the way so far.

Up the Vos !