A busy weekend of fixtures for Darlington this weekend. Starting on Friday night as our vets team, the Dinosaurs, host the Teesside Barbarians, Saturday sees our 1st XV travel up to North Shields, and Sunday sees a very busy day as our Ladies XV welcome Eccles to Blackwell Meadows, alongside home games for all of our Minis teams, U13's and U15's, whilst the U14's, U16s and Colts are all on the road. This weekend will also see the return of the Ketton Lunch ahead of the Ladies fixture, spaces are still available, so please get in touch if you would like to join us.

Friday 3rd December
DRFC Dinosaurs vs Teesside Barbarians (H) @ 19:00

Saturday 4th December
1st XV vs North Shields (A) @ 14:00

Sunday 5th December
Ladies XV vs Eccles (H) @ 14:15
Minis vs Billingham & Yarm (H)
U13's vs Acklam (H)
U14s vs Stockton (A)
U15 vs Horden & Peterlee (H)
U16's vs West Hartlepool (A)
Colts vs Blaydon (A)

All coaches will confirm kick-off times.

1st XV Team News

Darlington have always had mixed fortunes against North Shields, our last meeting was at the close of the 2018/19 season as North Shields ran out 17-15 winners at Blackwell Meadows as they secured promotion t DN1. In the last 6 meetings the teams are currently 3 a piece, so Saturday should make for an entertaining event.

Over to the team, the front row reverts back to the tried and tested trio of Olly Telfer, Darren Hoare (C) and Dan Miller providing a solid partnership. Behind them in the engine room Chris Anderson moves back to the starting line-up to join Gary Dent to provide an experienced pairing. At the base of the pack is the exciting trio of Tom Marston, Steve Carrick and Matt Short, 3 players that will be about the park all day looking for gaps, and turnovers.

In the backs Dan Sullivan is in at 9 to provide a solid base for the backs to work from, joined in the half-backs by Alex Carnell who will always be looking to take the ball up to the gain-line whilst also providing solid defence. Alex Swart remains at 12,m this week joined by Pat Searle who moves from the wing to the 13-shirt in place of injured Vice Captain Sam Hardy. Terry Martin moves to the vacant wing position joined by Andy Robinson on the left. The last line of defence is again filled by tough tackling, strong running full back Adam Smith.

Mike Tebbs provides front row cover on the bench, with 7s convert Xander Brown joining him to provide second row, back row and centres options. And multi-discipline back Ed Hurley provides cover across the entire back-line.