Match Preview

Consett 1st XV travel to Eastwood Gardens to visit Gateshead RFC this Saturday in what the team hope will be their final game of the 2017-18 season! Having being defeated by Gateshead only two games into the season the two teams fortunes have differed as the season went on with Consett winning their last 7 games, including 4 victories against top 6 opposition. Gateshead on the other hand having had a barnstorming start to the season winning their first 6, have only been victorious in 3 of their last 7 games, including a game against Ponteland on Wednesday night. Being the only team to defeat Consett at home all season the players and coaches know the dangers they possess in their attack and will be looking to nullify this with a performance in keeping with their most recent games which has catapulted them into the position they are in today.

After a well ground out victory against Stockton RFC last week there have been as few changes as possible to the squad in order to keep continuity and momentum. With the unavailability of Lewis McQueen, James Watson again takes a place on the bench and will be looking to finish the last 2 inches of the try that got away last weekend, the influential Connor Petch returns to the starting line up at hooker alongside Captain Sadler and tighthead Graison Dale. Jack Clark returns from injury to play No 8 alongside fellow back rowers Richard Tetley & Liam Cosgrove at 6 and 7 respectively. The backs starting line up from last week is unchanged. Evasive back Matt Jackson & physical back row Bradley Sotheran complete the replacements bench and will be looking to have an immediate impact on the game when given the nod.

Consett have had mixed fortune against Gateshead over the past few seasons having won all but one of the last 4 fixtures, the only defeat coming this season at Amethyst Park when they scored with the last play of the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Games against Gateshead are always an exciting prospect with guaranteed free flowing rugby on show, Consett aware they need 4 tries to secure the league title and Gateshead looking to secure as high of a league position as possible. The ground promises to be packed so get along early to get a prime spot for a fantastic afternoon of rugby as Consett look to make history with their first ever promotion from Durham & Northumberland 1.