Last season we struggled to a late 13-11 win at Hollow Drift in a scrappy game which everyone at the time thought might have consigned City to relegation. But Horden's surprise capitulation at Sheffield meant they were the ones to fall through the trapdoor.

Last week the Collierymen got some revenge when they won fairly easily at Hollow Drift in a warm-up game.

By comparison we have looked comfortable in winning both friendlies against Sunderland and Billingham. Do pre-season games give an indication of the season to come? We'll have a clue at 4.30 tomorrow.

New coaches Sawyer and Tighe have gone for the tried and tested in picking their first serious side. The only "novelty" is the pairing of Neil Howe and Peter Hodgson in the centre, while Paul Williamson and Phil Wallis provide the expected half back pairing.

In the pack both Tom Dixon and Ryan Phillips are unavailable. Both would undoubtedly have been in contention, but instead it's the tried and tested combination of Paul Rudd and Chocky Davies in the second row and a lively looking Henry Tones joining the Boatman's in the back row.

City have the dependable kicker James Walker on the wing with Chris Mattison at full back and new faces in Will Dias at centre and John Reay at fly half.

West:[meet 1.15]: Thomas, Weegram, Hodgson, Howe, Hare, Wallis, Williamson, Carr [capt], A Dixon, Robinson, Rudd, Davies, D Boatman, Tones, J. Boatman. Subs: Garside, Painter, Cullinane.

City: 15 Chris Mattison 14 James Walker 13 Will Dias 12 Richard Knowles 11 David Herbert 10 John Reay 9 Mark McCreedy 1 Dave Willetts 2 John Nichols 3 Mark Archbald 4 Steve Smithson 5 Kevin Showler 6 Grant Thompson 7 Darren Mackinnon 8 Gareth Horry 16 Mark Davison 17 Peter Dent 18 Aaron Arkley