Match Preview

This Saturday we welcome Bishop Auckland to Axwell View in what generally are very close encounters. However of late they have held the upper hand winning all the fixtures in the last 2 seasons including the Junior Cup Final after extra time.

Bishop have started the season well with 2 wins from 3 and will come to us on Saturday in fine fettle, they are always well drilled, carry a big and dangerous pack and also have some talent behind the scrum so will be a big test for us.

Enough of them, lets talk about the Vulcans. Last Saturday saw something of a rarity, a Winlaton win against our neighbour's Ryton. However this wasn't a win that was lucky (although leaking two late tries tested the nerves), we pretty much dominated the game and as it progressed the opposition just succumbed to a real organised and cohesive team display. If we play the same this week and manage to play the ball fully along the line when we've created overlaps we will provide Bishop with more than enough problems. Any side that can travel to Ryton and create 8 or 9 genuine chances should always be a handful. Fingers crossed we can build on last week and if we are being realistic then we should be beating the teams we expect to be around us at seasons end especially at home.

There is a lot of competition for places at the club now, getting and staying in this team is going to be a challenge and this should drive performances forward and improve results.

New players who have started the season in the team such as Ellis Taylor, Dean Jefferson, Liam O'Halleron, Micky Ferguson and Jordan Palliser have added something extra and different raising the game of the players already here and with our students returning now and several others in the Saxons putting in good displays then selection for this game will be interesting and competitive.

#COYV