Brods have been unable to lift themselves away from the three relegation places in recent weeks with some narrow defeats and currently lie fourth from bottom, 6 points clear of safety with 4 games to play. It is difficult to predict exactly how many points Brods will need to pick up, but two wins are a minimum. Durham this week and Morpeth at Woodhead on 14th April present ideal opportunities with tough away fixtures at Billingham and Northern to come.

Brods were boosted by the performance at Wheatley Hills last time out, the much changed side playing and competing well and gaining a crucial binus point. Brods were much better in attack and defence and Coach Ian Armitage will demand that the performance levels remain. Durham were easy winners at Hollow Drift in November, a depleted Brods side beaten 37 - 15, an Adam Standeven double the only highlight in a poor performance. Durham have had a good season and currently lie well above the relegation zone. A win is more critical for the home side and the players must show the desire, attitude and ability to pick up a 5 point win.

Armitage will hope to pick from an unusual position of strength, with several players back fit and some much needed competition returning to the squad. There are a few injury doubts, half backs Joe Armitage and Liam Scott receiving treatment for shoulder and ankle injuries. Both will start if fit but Ian Mallard and Richard Holborough provide cover.

Holborough missed the Wheatley Hills game with a knee injury but trained this week and will play. Brods should be at their strongest up front with props Dave Skinner, Callum Thompson, Alex Dawson and Jonjo Ward all competing to start and Lee Scrimshaw, Kyle Millward and Olly Hawkins available in the second row.

Captain Luke Scrimshaw will have a fitness test on Thursday on an ankle injury and his inclusion would be a major boost. Chris Hartley, Stevie Shaw and Jordan Shiel have all contributed recently and will asll come into contention should Scrimshaw be unfit.

There is also competition in the backs where Holborough, Standeven, Aaron Fowler, Chris Hartley, Nathan Scott, Louis Butler, Michael Briggs, Eddie Carter all available to fill four three quarter positions in the centre and on the wings. Armitage desperately needs the right combination as the forwards will provide plenty of ball in conditions that suit Brods expansive style.

All at the club knew at the start of this season that it would be the toughest yet at this level, the summer departures exacerbated by the crippling injury list all season. Brods have had 4 seasons of success under Armitage but survival this time would top all of the victories, promotions and title wins of recent times.

The players havent produced enough for the club and the coaching staff in games that have mattered so far, they have to address that on Saturday where nothing but a win will be enough. It is in the players hands and all at Woodhaed will be desperate for them to succeed.

The 2nd XV are at home in the Yorkshire Premier League against Hull, 3pm. They produced another fine performance last week against Huddersfield, four scintillating Eddie Carter tries the highlight. There side will again be strong with experienced James Marshall, Jonny Hotham, Danny Melia, Stevie Shaw, Joe Fee, Andy Skinner all available to line up with promising Rob Bradley, Richard Stokes, Aamir Nasir and Matty Turner amongst others.