Novocastrians Rugby Football Club

Possibly the biggest weekend of the season so far for the club with vital league games across the board for all four senior sides and a mini tour for our Vets!

What a weekend! – The opening weekend of the 6 nations always seems to attract a big weekend to Novos and this one is no different, Our brave first team will host Gosforth, the 2nds have a top of the table clash with 2nd placed Gateshead and the 3rds are looking to follow up last weeks 38 – 14 win over Percy Park with a tough away fixture with Gosforth 3s and Centurians welcome River Derwent league pace setters Washington. The Veterans (7c’s) make a welcome return and they renew rivalries with North Berwick – a fixture we hope to continue when England play Scotland in future.

As single rugby fixtures go, only one eclipses the Calcutta cup in the rugby enthusiasts diary and that is the Ringtons Tea Cup which is contested every year between Novos and Gosforth in a fixture that started over 100 years ago. In the 90’s, the actual cup was donated by the Smith family who were connected with both clubs and of course run the Ringtons Tea family business, a brand which is recognised all over the world and long time sponsors and supporters of both clubs. Over the last few seasons it has been honours even between the sides with both winning the home fixture – The Tea cup is residing at Druids park following a dismal defeat for Novos before Xmas, Gosforth are always very strong on their plastic pitch as Promotion chasers Stockton and Hartlepool Rovers have found to their cost in the last few weeks, Novos are hoping that home advantage will once again prevail and lift us off the bottom of the league. The mere presence pitchside of Captain Kev Anderson, who has been helping Novos with fitness at the Marines Base nearby will also give us an added push, he has really got Novos training with intensity and the difference is already being seen in the squad.

Gosforth are a good side and go into the game on a high with excellent recent results, Novos of course still search for a first win in 2012 and there would be no better time to get it than on Saturday.

Last week the 1st team had a bruising encounter with Horden and count the cost with another potentially season ending injury to Prop Gavin Evans. Gavin took another nasty knock to the head and after his fractured skull last year, no risks can be taken, Gavin will need an MRI scan before he can play again and this is unlikely to be before the end of the season. Gus Graham is also away this weekend so Ben Walker gets a chance to reclaim the number 2 shirt alongside Pete Twentyman and James Forbes who is in for Gavin in the front row. In the 2nd row Captain Jamie Wallace continues alongside Michael Reidy and in the back row talented youngster Alex Hind is in line to make a belated 1st start with Ben Merrett at openside and Will Trick again at number 8.

In the backs Jason Mcdermott is at scrum half and Chris Fife continues to direct proceedings from stand off, this allows powerful centre Dan Bollado to return to his favoured position alongside Matty Bradford. The back three is unchanged from the Horden game with Rory Diggle, James Parkinson and full back Graham Jardine all retained.

On the bench Dave Addison, Liam Savage and Mark Cooper are given pine riding duty this week.

Its First meets second in a River Aln top of the table clash at Gateshead for the 2nd team, table toppers Novos have won all but one of their games so far and are 9 points clear at the top, Gateshead last tasted defeat against Novos and have gone on a 12 match unbeaten run since a 29 – 7 loss. Gateshead are a combative side and are particularly dangerous at Eastwood Gardens, Novos will have to be defensively strong and front up in the forwards to keep themselves ahead of the chasing pack.

Something has got to give, a win for Novos will put them within grasp of winning the league whilst defeat would give Gateshead hope of catching up if Novos slip up in the last 4 games with Consett, Blyth, Ryton and Ashington still to play. Gateshead would seem to have the tougher run in though with Medicals and Sunderland still to play, 3rd placed Medicals in particular looking to mount a late charge of their own. Its certainly hotting up at the business end of the River Aln league with CANDY league rugby the prize for the victors.

Jonny Martin comes into the front row after impressing in the 3rds this season and he lines up with John Addison and Mike Cousins in the front row, Dale Raine and Sam Dixon are an effective looking 2nd row partnership while the back row welcomes back skipper Jamie Diggle from injury with Michael Williams and hard running Number 8 Martin Blight.

Joe Stamper continues his rise to prominence in the 9 jersey with vastly experienced Sam Burnside slotting in at stand off, Chris Donabie is at centre and there is a welcome return to action for Welshman Jack Watkins after a few weeks out and on the wings Ben Adcock and James Bass have pace to burn and Fergus Wilson also providing plenty of gas from full back.

On the bench new front row signing Matt Miles will be hoping to show what he can do along with Rob Campbell, Clive Carlin and Darren McCrory.

The 3rds on the back of a great win last week suffer from their own success, a few have moved up into the 2nds while the veterans pinch a few of the elders to travel to North Berwick. Still Ian Pratt names a strong squad including

Sean Lightfoot, Stevie Thompson, Dave Rutherford, Glenn Fife and Dave Stephenson in a formidable looking front five. The back row has a quality look about it with Stewart Wilson, Adam Longstaff and Dan Turnell all having tasted first team action this season.

In the backs Dave Cavanagh is at scrum half with Alex Twinn at stand off, Dave Henry and Tommy Wilson Junior are a robust centre pair and Jack Callaghan and Richard Seed provide the pace and width with Fijian Jass kay Yagomate at full back

On the bench another Fijian Jone Cama, lines up with Ian Pratt, Dominic Leeson and Brian Keith

The Centurians take on Washington and will confirm the side later in the week

The veterans will name also name a squad depending on who is most sober by the time they arrive, There are some quality players in that line up who have graced the Novos shirt in years gone by, whether they perform on the international stage is still to be shown!