Match Preview

After a “gentle” start to the season against teams I would expect to finish around us (is a 50% record a good return ?), things get serious against last season’s runners up Hull, who rarely needed to get out of second gear in their two games against us last season, but fell at the final hurdle, being well beaten in their play-off game.

This season started with a one point reverse against Rossendale, but since then it is three from three, with the highlight a win against relegated Blaydon. They lie in third place in the league behind Billingham and Blaydon.

So the team will need to be at their best – but traditionally they are at Mintbridge against the better teams.

TEAM : The pack is the one that started the game last weekend, with Matthew Charters, coming in for John Dervey in the second row. Behind the pack the Good News is there are several returns. Jack Blakeney plays outside half, with Glen Weightman moving to centre, where he finished the game at Alnwick. Dini Noyo is back at full-back and Zane Butler on the wing. Matthew Kaye gets his reward for a good performance when he came on at half time last week, and starts at scrum half. Liam Ridley and Mark Carruthers join Jack Lashley on the bench

WEATHER : Dull but dry

GET DOWN EARLY : The Wasps have a game at 12:30 against Vagabonds. If you haven’t seen the Wasps in action (or not for some time) why not give it a go - and get two games for the price of one !

Never heard of Vagabonds ? I did a bit of research and they are from Braddan, which is near Douglas on the Isle of Man