Saturday 4th December K.O. 2.15 (or 2.00) : Last chance to see the First XV at Mint Bridge this year ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A first ever fixture against Glossop (one of three teams we will be doing this with this season, another being next weekend - but who knows when/if we will play Bowden)
Both teams come into the game looking to get on track after losses last weekend. Glossop maintained their third spot in the table, with a double bonus point loss away at Manchester (the team we squeezed past at Mint Bridge a fortnight ago) and are just a point behind Penrith, equal with Manchester, and one point ahead of Waterloo. We sit three points behind them, with those two postponed games in hand to come. With the others towards the top looking as if they have winnable games, we will both be looking for the points to stay in touch with the pack trailing Stockport.
Glossop started the season with an away draw at Altrincham Kersal, and their other losses have come inevitably at Stockport, but more surprisingly away at Vale of Lune. They have an 100% home record, having only dropped one point at home in a narrow win against Birkenhead Park, but include Penrith and Waterloo in the teams they have beaten. So another very tough test
TEAM : No Reece Tomlinson or Matt Houghton, so Chris Evans and Dan Greenwood come in. No scrum half named (but Lewis Kincart is on the wing). Despite originally been named in the team going to Glossop, there is a welcome return for Nick Carlton on the right wing. Hugh Davies and Ben Dixon are still out.
A potential debut from the bench with Alex Ryder named there (this would be only the second this season following Hugh Davies). He his joined by Alistair Thompson and Chris Park.
WEATHER : Changable (it seems to changes every time I check). Heavy showers with sunshine, followed by light sunny showers.
SUNDAY : Elsewhere on the website, there is news of a Friendly between the Wasps and Liverpool St Helens Ladies on Sunday afternoon. Look out for more details !