WELCOME There's certainly excitement in the air today as we welcome Acklam to Acklam Park. The confusion of the names has caused a few problems to visitors over the years, but there is no confusion today – it's all to play for! You couldn't get a more local local derby than this and I'm sure all the players are up for an exciting encounter – I know many of us Saga Louts are! As an aside let me just add that whatever the result this afternoon the town could do with both rugby teams competing at the highest level possible, each driving the other forward in healthy competition.
But back to NOW. Acklam were promoted last season and have settled comfortably into DN1. They won three of their first six games as well as three of their last six games, and they've done the double over Stockton. They have won eight of their 19 matches, but have the sixth highest points total – and although we beat the at Talbot Park the score was a tight 6-13 as they held us to our lowest score of the season. h Although Darlington are the league's whipping boys no team has scored more than Acklam's 96 points against them. On Saturday Acklam entertained Novocastrians but lost 21-41. They concede a try in the opening minutes which seemed set the tone for the rest of the match. Novos scored seven tries in all, against three by Acklam, a result which kept Acklam in eighth place but moved Novos up to fourth. Could it be that the Acklam lads had today's game on their minds?! We'll soon find out.
LEAGUE RUGBY In our last home game against Gosforth would you believe we had three stoppages for broken noses. Admittedly two were for the same nose – Toby's! - whilst t'other was for Rhys. Well they do say everything comes in threes, although since our last programme we have more experience of 'twos.' Two games (both against teams beginning with 'G'!), two bonus points wins, both kick-started by tries from the Tremlett boys (Toby in the Gosforth game and Euan at Gateshead), two sets of brothers on the field at the same time at Gateshead, when Joe Gaudie joined brother Sam and the Tremletts, two tries for Toddy at Gateshead, two tries for Rhys – one in each match, and today's referee, Adam Robson, is doing the double; he took charge of the Gosforth game on his first ever visit to Acklam Park and returns for consecutive home games, the first time that's happened in many a long year– I hope that means he enjoyed himself!
We were a bit wary before the Gosforth game, as they'd already beaten us, and for the first ten minutes those fears seemed justified. But Toby settled our nerves with a dazzling run from the base of the scrum – a shimmy, a dummy, a try. Sam then popped the ball to Toddy to score and on the stroke of half time a chip-and-chase by Conner added our third try. In the second half Penners burrowed over for his first senior try, Toddy's strength got him over the line for his second before Rhys finished-off matters with a super long range solo effort, with Sam adding his third conversion.
We then faced a tricky trip to Gateshead, who had lost at home only once, to Durham City. In no time at all we were 13-0 down but Euan's try got us up and running to make it 13-5 at the break. Tries from Isa, Liam and Rhys made the score 13-22 with a penalty by our hosts completing the scoring.

Although we are clinging onto the coat tails of Durham City it must be said they are favourites for promotion, being five points ahead of us and a far superior points difference, But...but they are at Consett today, the only team to have beaten them to date. At the other end of the table it gives me no pleasure to report that Darlington are now the only team in the country to have conceded more that 1000 points. They lost at home to Ponteland on Saturday, the Northumbrians' fifth win of the season and one which moves them to within a point of third bottom Medicals. Having won only one game before Christmas they looked dead and buried but four victories since the turn of the year gives them real hope of pulling off the great escape.

OTHER MATCHES Results these past two weeks make pleasant reading. The Wasps have chalked up two good wins, beating a spirited Consett 64-19, a scoreline which belies the energetic efforts of our visitors, before we travelled to West, where we scored seven tries and yet won 32-20. You'll have to read Jonno's report on p9 to unravel that one. His more detailed match reports are on our website. Meanwhile the 'A' team experienced conflicting fortunes, losing by 40-odd points to DMP but then beating Guisborough IIs 24-5, despite being 0-5 down going into the final quarter. Obviously the telling factor was the superior fitness and guile of our youngsters – including Jason Westie, Captain Scott, Sillsy and Pornopants, whose combined ages total almost 200 years!

There's more! Despite travelling with only 14 lads, and suffering two concurrent yellow cards, our Colts returned from Selby with an impressive 5-26 victory. I urge you to read Steve Gaines's report on p4. I make no apology for again saluting our U17s, who remain unbeaten, are in the final of the Durham Cup and are well placed to win their league. On Sunday they beat Durham City 33-26, their third victory over City this season. Congratulations to the lads, to Jason M and to his coaches, as well as to Tom Seymour and the U15s; this past month they have beaten Harrogate, Sunderland, and on Sunday both Guisborough and Durham City with the aggregate score of 136-12. Tony Linklater and the U14s travelled to Durham City where the match was abandoned at the start of the second half.
CLUB NEWS Some of you will have heard that the Club is supporting a group of players who have decided to climb Mount Snowdon during a tour to north Wales from 8 to 10 July. Although they will undoubtedly enjoy themselves over the weekend of equal importance is their aim to raise as much money as possible for the Neonatal Unit (NNU) at James Cook Hospital, which includes intensive and high dependency facilities care for sick and premature infants. If you fancy joining them there are brief details on the website, or see Chris Snaith, Paul Wrathmall, Tony Silk or Rob Grierson. If you can't make it don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunity to sponsor the lads. It's a great cause, so do give generously.
Our Beer Festival has become so well-renowned so quickly that last year we sold out of all ale on the Saturday. This year it will run from Friday evening to Saturday night, 22/23 July, and will include a selection of ciders. Make a note of the date now – be late and you run the risk of being faced with empty barrels!
Before then our Members Reunion will take place on Saturday 16 April, the day we meet Durham City in what should be a humdinger of a match. I am pleased to say that Martin Wain has offered to assist in organising the event, so if you wish to attend let him know (or get in touch with Bernie, Colin, Gordon, Tilly, Don or Keith).
SPONSORS Today we are delighted that Carlsberg is our match sponsor and although he is no stranger to Acklam Park I am pleased to welcome Ashley Deakin in his role as sponsor and thank him for his continued support. We are doubly thankful to him as he also provides us with invaluable advice and assistance before and during our Beer Festival each July.
REFEREE'S CORNER For our previous home outing against Gosforth Adam Robson made his first visit to Acklam Park. We saw a young man obviously destined for higher honours who handled the match very well and who let the game flow more than some. And guess what? He's back! He has returned for today's game and I am delighted to welcome him back to Middlesbrough. I hope he enjoys his return visit as much as we enjoyed his earlier one.
Adam hails from Hessle and has been a referee for six years; before that he displayed his skills as an all-round player for his home Club, playing in the backs one week and as hooker the next week. He is a Youth and Community Officer. A final word of warning – I understand that Adam's parents will attend the game, so watch what you say!