Match Preview

Squad News - Andy Hall, Daniel Shuttleworth, Josh Stacey, Darren Kelly, Ross Radford, Josh McFarland, George Bambrick, Sean Ramsay (vice capt) Lewis Chater, Sam Devey, Sam Bird, Brandon Gilbert, Ben Wollerton, Connor Taylor (debut) Shaun Stewart (captain) Tom Dias, Louis Matthews, Dylan Murphy (debut)

The boys travel to Stockton this Saturday after a tough few weeks of injuries and losses. Despite the unavailability it is amazing to see how much depth the club has in terms of playing numbers.

Andy hall returns to the side after almost needing a skin graft from Rockcliff's artificial pitch two weeks ago. In addition, the group are delighted to see the return of star player Sean Ramsay. A dislocated shoulder followed by an ankle injury left Ramsay a spectator for the majority of the season.

In the backs Lewis Chater and Sam Devey continue at 9 and 10 after doing well against Boro last week. In the centres, current colt Brandon Gilbert is given an opportunity to continue his development. With a great ability to off load the ball Gilbert should enjoy the challenge of stepping up to play a strong Stockton side.

Out wide there are debuts for Connor Taylor and Dylan Murphy. Taylor has recently joined the club and impressed at training and in the second team games I have watched. He is a strong ball carrier and a strong tackler and we wish him well on his debut. Murphy will make his entrance off the bench and has been with the club since mid September. He has worked his way from the 3's all the way to the 1's during this period. Another example at the club of how attending training sessions and playing well for the 2's and 3's will get you a shot in the 1's.

Other players to look out for are Josh McFarland and Louis Matthews - two young back rowers who have also moved from the 3's to the 1's since joining the club in October.

In other action our vets are playing at Ashington on Friday night, our 3's play at West End on Saturday as do our 4's who are currently looking for a fixture after Gosforth 2's cancelled.

Good luck and Up the Vos !