The promotion race in Durham and Northumberland One, which once looked a bit of a formality, is now wide open with the hope we can come up on the rails and earn the automatic promotion place.
Leaders Northern were brought to heel at Brinkburn last week with a bonus point win for West - putting us just three points behind the side which has led the table from week one.
The 38-22 win was no more than an enterprising West deserved. The quality of the performance underlined by the fact it was the first game this season where Northern’s lively backs had not earned their side a try bonus point.
This week we face another set of lively backs at Medicals, and travel knowing we can’t afford to relax against a side which is currently in tenth position, but which comes into the game off the back of a 26-20 win at Horden and Peterlee.
Player coach Stu Waites led from the front last week, unfortunately he suffered a second half calf injury and won't be risked.
It allows Mallinson to make his first start after returning to the fold from West Leeds. Scott Butcher also starts after making a scoring impact when he came on last week.
Jake Linighan's work commitments meant he missed last week's big win, where the pack dominated the set-piece, and he will be lookng to make an impact from the bench.
Work and family commitmemnts could also lead to one or two other changes so a five man bench has been named.
West: Luke Mallinson, Callum Johnston, Will Hilditch, Peter Youll, Adam Peacock, Zac Southern, Ryan Painter (captain), Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Adam Brown, Chris Atkins, John Bunter, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Scott Butcher.
Changes from: Jake Linighan, Joe Rafferty, Michael Hogan, Jonny Hunter, Craig Hadwen.