This weekend we have five sides in action, all facing abrasive opposition. The firsts hosting Guisbrough, 2nds travel to Winlaton, 3rds are away to Wallsend, 4ths visit Washington and the ladies host Buckingham Swans on Sunday.

Novos are going through a transitional period at the moment, moving into a new coaching regime and losing an entire first team from last season as players moved to find work, despite a lowly position for our first team, it is good to see the fighting spirit and emergence of some talented youngsters into the squads who are battling hard to turn the corner and get some much needed wins on the board. Its actually quite exciting to see such a fresh young squad and that once this young side get used to the rigours of senior 1st team rugby, there is much potential for them to become a very handy team indeed. Opponents this weekend are Guisbrough, a chance to reacquaint ourselves with opposition that we have not faced for a couple of years and a side that went through much the same challenge we are currently facing and now have a very talented and young squad. After winning the league below last year Guisbrough have enjoyed a mixed start to life in Division One, but last weekend saw them produce a superb result shocking much fancied Hartlepool Rovers with 2 late, late scores to snatch a win which is a fantastic result for them. The Priorymen, as they are called will be a tough opposition who give nowt away cheaply and Novos will need to be on top form if the ‘great escape’ is to begin on Saturday.

Head Coach, Rob Jones names a similar squad to that which deserved more than they got last week against Ponteland, hopefully this weekend will see us earn some better luck. Peter Twentyman makes his home debut in the front row alongside Ben Walker and Gus Graham, Dale Raine returns to the 2nd row with Will Trick who steps up from number 8, also making his home debut, Alex Littlefair and Ben Merrett are on the flanks and Skipper, Andy Borthwick is a welcome return at Number 8.

In the backs Simon Ayre returns from a bout of sickness at scrum half and Dan Bollado is at stand off, Luke Mitchell and Shaun Stewart are in the centres and Matty Bradford holds on to the number 15 shirt. On the wings James Parkinson returns and James Bass is given the opportunity to shine against his former club (and his dad, who plays back row for Guisbrough!)

The bench sees Paul Jackson covering the front row, Mark Cooper covering the backs and a potential debut for promising new signing Alex Hind.

The Barbarians (2nds) have a break from league rugby and travel to face Winlaton at Axwell view, they name a strong squad for what is likely to be a tough game against a side likely to have a big physical pack. An opportunity to experiment presents itself with important league games coming up for the River Aln League leaders, James Forbes returns as skipper to the front row alongside Simon Spencer and John Addison, Glenn Fife and Mike Williams are a ‘non jumping 2nd row partnership! Matt Lamb fits into the back row with Dan Turnell and the talismanic Paul Henderson at number 8.

In the backs Chris Fife is at scrum half with Rich Harrison at stand off, Jack Watkins returns from injury in the centre with Richie Moat and Ben Adcock and Rory Diggle have plenty of pace out wide. Graham Jardine, a new signing from Northern Ireland lines up for a debut at full back.

The bench sees Dave Addison, Simon Dickinson, Jason Mcdermott and Fijian Jaso Yagomate ‘riding the pine’

The development team also look to bag a win against a Wallsend side they have beaten earlier in the season Craig Patterson, Lee Histed and Alan Pitchford are in the front row, James Desmond and Dave Stevenson an abrasive 2nd row partnership and James Cowan, Liam Savage and Ian Pratt a well balanced back row.

James Shallcross plays for the first time this season after his marriage at scrum half with Chris Curson at stand off, The Wilsons senior and Junior are a tough tackling centre unit with Brian Keith, Paul Roberts and Richard Seed a useful back three.

Finnish Flyer Mikko Heikkila, Sean Lightfoot, Stevie Gittins and Dave Rutherford are on the bench

The Centurians name a large squad for their top of the table clash with Washington, its rare for the 4ths to find themselves playing a full on first team but that is the challenge awaiting them. Drew Henderson takes over the captaincy and a strong line up is expected for what should be a tough game against the unbeaten league leaders.

The ladies are looking for a win as they take on Buckingham Swans, after being denied with a controversial disallowed try cost them their first win 2 weeks ago, the ladies are fired up get their season going and name a squad with strength but shorn of Kate Hall who has injured herself on County duty ruling her out until the new year, also Cath Cotterill is carrying an injury so misses out.

In the front row Alice Workman wrestles the prop jersey back and will line up with Christine Miller and Lisa Wakefield, Hannah Pollard and Amy Ross are in the 2nd row and the back row trio of Sel Makin, Fran Mockford and Kate Disley continue.

Svea Herth is at scrum half with Rachel Cooper at stand off, the big boost is the return of captain Janette Shaw alongside Steph Maddison at centre and Kerry Short, Laura Atkinson and Patricia Lappierre complete the side as a pacy back three.

On the bench Phoebe Lebrecht, Emily Yarrow, Laura Coleman, Drea Lee and Cat Ingoe

Players are reminded that as it is Remembrance weekend a Poppy should be displayed before and after games