Last week, myself & 17 others took the field in what we knew was going to be a well matched & physical contest against travelling rivals & friends, Garstang, knowing only a victory would do. Despite a slow start, we ran out comfortable 24-12 victors, securing us a bonus point in the process. This week we travel on our furthest away trip knowing that a victory in 'Boro will keep the league very interesting at the half way mark.

'Boro are a new entity to most in this league & I for one cannot recall the last TC 'Boro fixture, the statos of the club are welcome to jump in on this. 'Boro suffered a bad year last year & were relegated from an extremely competitive Lancs & Cumbria league. Although this would have been an obvious disappointment for the club & its players, they have most certainly dusted themselves off & are bidding for an immediate return to the higher league. 'Boro currently find themselves in 2nd place, albeit a considerable distance behind leaders, Oldham. Although it must be said, that it was only 3 weeks ago that 'Boro inflicted Oldham's first defeat of the season upon them in a 20-18 victory. The boys from Rochdale way have played 9, winning 8, whilst losing by a point away at newly promoted Birchfield. But it is only when you have a closer look at the results that you start to see a pattern, in their 9 games, 4 of them have been decided by less than 2 points...

As we approach what could be described as a season defining couple of fixtures, the lads have shown excellent focus & given a lot of hard work. The team run through went well last night & now the lads just want to get this big match underway. The new structure that was put in place when Mark Hanson took charge back in August is really starting to take shape now & the lads really do show a great understanding of it.

There is only one change to the starting line up that did the business last weekend & that is regular Hooker, Ben Calvert, returning from a slight niggle & replaces Neil Wright. The number 10 shirt stays on the back of Dan Orwin who had a superb game last weekend & was extremely instrumental in the bonus point win. There are 2 changes to personnel on the bench with Wayne Daws & Stephen Hatch making way for Jonnie Cooper & David 'Speedy' Beardsall. The replacements are completed with the young & versatile, Pete Macauley.

All TC need to do is stay composed, play our game & let 'Boro worry about what we are bringing to them.

Myself & the lads do appreciate that this fixture is a fair old trek, but if anyone is free & finding themselves at a loose end then put OL15 0AP in to your sat navs & we shall see you for a 14:15 K.O.

There is no 2nd XV fixture this weekend, they will be back in League action next weekend away at Bolton, in what looks like it's battle for 3rd!

Ho ho ho

Brannigan