After 3 weeks out of action our 1's finally get back in to action this weekend with a trip down to Liverpool to face St. Eddies Old Boys. In our last run out, we were fairly beaten by who I see being eventual League Champions, Oldham. We gave a good account of ourselves in many areas of the game, but the score board does not lie & we went into the Christmas break with a loss. The good thing about the 3 week break is that the lads who took the field against Oldham have been stewing over that result ever since, and are desperate to get back on track, enter the frame St. Eddies...

St. Eddies are an interesting side of late. Only 2 seasons ago they were rightly challenging the top of this league & after missing out on promotion were many's favorites to push on in the 2013/14 season & gain promotion. This wasn't to be the case & in all honesty they struggled with results last season. We made light work of their visit to the Windmill beating them convincingly but they showed their talents & resilience when we traveled to Merseyside, where we left with a hard fought 18 - 15 victory. This should be thought about ahead of our visit tomorrow. When Eddies traveled to Thornton back in September a trouncing would be an understatement, with TC running out 117-12 victors. I for one have never seen a scoreline like that in this league. Spirits were high & so they should have been. But I can guarantee our lads this, it won't be anything like that tomorrow. Although our opponents have been out of action for longer than we have (last fixture was a 21-17 loss away to North Manc. on 06/12/14) & currently find themselves rock bottom of the league, the club & its players will surely be earmarking 2015 as a fresh new year & new start to 2014's misery.

Looking at the TC squad travelling to Liverpool tomorrow, 10 of the 18 featured in the reverse fixture back in September, & will recall that even when they had shipped 117 points, St. Eddies never stopped giving their all, & that wont change tomorrow. The front row sees a couple of changes, Coach Hanson starts with the 1 jersey on his back, Edge Hill student, Dom Griffiths, returns to 1st XV action after being unavailable for a number of months replacing the unavailable, Ben Calvert. There is a lot of excitement around the other prop, Blackpool & The Fylde College Team Captain, Peter Keay. Pete is a big strong lad who came off the bench away at Littleborough to show what he can offer this club. Tomorrow will be his first start for the 1's since joining the club, & has got there fully on the back of his work ethic in training & his performances in the 2nd XV. Tom Bailey retains his Second Row shirt & with illness ruling out Callum Holland, it allows us to welcome back Tom Cockcroft, which I for one am extremely excited about.Tom has been out injured for the season so far & in the last month or so has been working away on his fitness in the 2nd XV. After his MOTM performance for them last week, it was apparent that he is ready for a return. The back row has a familiar look just with different numbers on their backs. I will be leading the team with the 6 shirt on my back, with Michael Docherty wearing the 7. Big hitting Simon Hoddinott starts his second game at 8, after a tough day out against Oldham.

The backs have a familiar look to them, Pete Macauley starts at 9 after really impressing myself & Hanson in that position against Oldham. Orwin remains at 10 where he will be pulling the strings for the TC backline. Centres as usual with the solid Ellis Wolstencroft at 12 & the game changer Rob Meekins at 13. Ross Mellor-Clark & Pete Armstrong will both be looking to add to their good scoring tallies from the wing, with Mr. Versatile, Stephen Hatch, stepping in for the absent Vice Captain, Chris Clapp.

The bench is possibly one of the strongest we have had this season, featuring 3 players who on another Saturday could easily be starting. Ryan Haywood will bring plenty of physicality & pace when he comes on & Toby Holder-Williams will be chomping at the bit to get on & get the ball in his hands after starting most games this season in the 9 shirt. The final sub is Richard Docherty, who joined the club back in the Autumn after moving back in to the area. Richard featured in our 2nd XV's victory away at Fylde taking most of the plaudits in what was an excellent victory. Richard is a ferocious Hooker who can play Prop or back row. I know for a fact he is desperate to get on & show us what he has to offer.

A number of players were incredibly unlucky to miss out on selection this weekend, Dean Finnegan & David Beardsall being 2 of the main ones. I have no doubts they will travel to Garstang with our 2's & give the selection committee more head aches for the next lot of 1st XV games. I must also take the time to mention the success of our 2nd XV & the standard of our players. Tomorrow's squad travelling to Eddies, features no less than 11 players who have played 2nd XV games this season. Not only does that show an excellent rotation & strength in depth but a credit to those lads who have fought hard in the 2nd XV to get a shot at the 1's. Lads like Keay, Bailey, Cockcroft, Hatch & Rich Docherty, all of whom will no doubt be showing the same effort now to stay in the 1st XV.

If you are free tomorrow & you find Liverpool a bit of a push then why not head down to Garstang & support our 2's in their quest for Promotion. The sideline was rocking for them last week, & if we can make it more of a Home game tomorrow I know the lads will appreciate that hugely.

There is no set social tomorrow night other than standard beers back at the club after the games. So make sure you have your club shirt & tie on & you are on time for the meets, fine masters will be present...

Brannigan