North Shields make the short trip down the Coast Rd to Sutherland Park this Saturday to take on a Novos side hoping to close the gap to 6th spot. Our opponents are probably a better side than their league position suggests however they are running out of time, assuming three sides are relegated out of our league.

It will be important that we don't let North Shields settle into the game. It was noticeable in our fixture earlier in the season that when they are allowed to get over the gain line they are a dangerous opponent. So the aim will to play fast and move their big lads about, field position will be vital.

Our squad is just starting to recover from the injury crisis that was xmas and early January. This fixture sees the return of club captain, Pete Twentyman who has finally recovered from a bad facial wound sustained from a boot at Rockliff. He will pack down in the front row alongside Andy Hall and Daniel Shuttleworth. It will be interested to see how our lightest tight five in recent fixtures gets on at scrum time. Twentyman's inclusion is the only change from the pack that were victorious at Stockton. Josh Stacey and Luke Menzfeld are available off the bench early doors should we need a different approach to the scrum battle.

Out wide the squad is a mix of first team regulars and lads who have been flying in the 2's and earned this opportunity to play a home match for the 1's. Lewis Chater and Sam Devey are to continue their combination at 9 and 10 - after outstanding and match winning performances against Stockton. The centre pairing shows real creativity in Jack Hearn and the returning Sam Busby - fresh from playing rugby in the much warmer climate of Australia. Busby was outstanding in a 40 min display for the 2's on Saturday and the Alik's will be delighted to see the try scoring machine back in our ranks. The back three changes slightly as Ben Forbes impressive match for the 2's against Billingham sees him leap into the starting line up. Forbes is possibly the quickest player at our club and will hope to be given the space to showcase his speed.

1st xv squad to play Nth Shields at 1415 on 1st Feb - Andy Hall, Daniel Shuttleworth, Pete Twentyman (captain) Ross Radford, Darren Kelly, Josh McFarland, George Bambrick, Sean Ramsay, Lewis Chater, Sam Devey, Ben Forbes, Jack Hearn, Sam Busby, Dylan Murphy, Ben Wollerton, Josh Stacey, Luke Menzfeld, Connor Taylor.

2nd xv to play Alnwick 2's at 1415 on pitch 3 - Gus Graham, Tom Dias, Brendan Thomas, Ian Pratt (captain) Alex Horne, Gus Nye, Louis Matthews, Adam MacDonald, James Bass, Jonny Winterhalder, Ben Kelly, Luke Mitchell, Zach Weatherhead, Tim Hart, David Marshall, Dan Hails, Nicky Yielder, Jeff Burke, Charlie Hay, Ewan Dalziel (debut) Marc McClelland, Ben Merrett, James Chadwick

4th xv to play Nth Shields at 14 away - John Watson, Rich Zabrocki, Stevie Thompson, Neil Spence, James Coles, Ben Silk, Scott Leggetter, Tom Harwood, Bradley Pantrey, Jamie Malone, Ross Glasper, Dan Stalmeisters, Paddy Monteith, Jonny Lowes, Will Evans, Ian Wood, Pete Jones, Tom Wallace, Ross Cleminson, Tom Barker, Chris Richie, Dan Green, David Thompson

Good luck boys - Up The Vos !