Despite not playing a home game in the competition we have got through to the semi final after away wins over Medicals, Wigton and Sunderland. Our prize is another away trip, this time to Stamford RFC - clear winners of Counties 1 Midlands East.

We have three changes from the squad that knocked out Sunderland last week as Tom Taylor, Dylan Gittins and Jonny Allton are unavailable. In come Callum Todd to provide front row cover, first team regular Jez Hunt is available after missing last week and Tom Westgarth is also available again after playing in the Wigton game two weeks ago.

So the starting front row sees versatile David Medjigbodo-Lawson switch to loosehead, Morgan Scrace promoted from the bench at tighthead and last weeks hooker remains in place in the form of Sion Gittins. Onus will be on them to control the Stamford scrum as it looked a big weapon in the footage we watched this week.

In the engine room are Jez Hunt who has had a great season and he will be partnered club captain George Bambrick. Stepping into the row should be seamless for an experienced campaigner who has been in incredible form in this cup run.

In the back row we have looked for balance, again to counter what looked like a decent set of back rowers against us. So it's a mixture of fearless, energetic youth in Tom Westgarth who got three steals in his second have effort vs Wigton. On the blindside is Louis Matthews who will be a bundle of energy, leading the way in carries and line breaks. The trio is complete with this years star signing in the form of Rob Baldwin. The big eight leads the way in try scoring, dump tackles and the number of times he has had his tie around his head on the dance floor.

The backs are relatively unchanged as Max Cook takes his normal wing spot in the only change to the back line that tore Sunderland apart at times.

Rhys Merlane and Josh Farley continue to shine as a 9 and 10 pairing - dictating field position and controlling the pace of play. Farley in particular has dominated the two cup games so far.

The centre pairing in Ben Jubb and Michael Searle have really grown throughout the season. Jubb, captain for this cup run has looked great at manipulating space and putting people through holes. A perfect foil for Searle who has preferred at times to run over the top of defenders or offload in the tackle.

We hope our back three will thrive if we can keep the pace high against opponents who look a lot bigger than us potentially. Sam Busby has been rolling back the years with line break after line break - our second top try scorer but leads the team in assists by a long way. Partly due to the finishing ability outside him in gasmen, Sam Cleife and Max Cook. They bagged four tries between them when they played together at Wigton.

In a tactical ploy we have real strength on the bench as we think they game will go down to the final mins of the 80. Ant McQuillin and Callum Todd will provide front row cover to keep our scrum working hard till the final whistle. Some serious ability and power George Jowitt and Simeon Archibald off the bench.

The back line cover is similar to the forwards as we choose to leave Lewis Chater on the bench. The mercurial utility back could be deadly in the second half when the game opens up and space becomes easier to find. The impact players are complete in Brandon Gilbert - another energy leader and two great cameos so far in the cup run. A great defender and popped up in support last week to get an assist in our best try against Sunderland.

We have prepared well - two great sessions, watched some footage of our opponents thanks to an ex-Vos player down south, discussed where we can thrive and where we will need to get our opponents to Plan B based on their strengths. So no excuses - the best side will go through.

Meet on Saturday is 0900 to get on the fun bus - £10 for players which includes beer money and £20 for non players. A couple of seats left if you'd like to get in touch with Magnus Leask or Graeme Cooper.

Up the Vos !