Back in September we ran out easy winners but, with Gareth Archer and Co. at the helm, City have been moulded into an efficient unit who know how to win.
With the exception of the surprise defeat at Carlisle so have West - so something will have to give at Hollow Drift. Conditions may have a part to play with rain and a gusty wind forecast but, given the circumstances, nobody would ever expect this game to be a feast of fast flowing rugby.
City will have the benefit of having had two competitive games in the past few weeks while we have only managed a first v seconds run out. City lost at Darlington but coasted to a fine Cup win against Horden last week.
Not surprisingly both sides will be sticking with the tried and tested. The West pack is intact with Chocky Davies training well and Jonny Boatman recovering from the eye injury inflicted by a flailing Stags tackle last week.
West: Painter, Thorn, Hodgson, Howe, A Cheslin, Moss, Tighe, Carr [capt], A Dixon, Robinson, T Dixon, Davies,D Boatman, J Boatman, Rudd. Reps: Norris, Henderson, C Cheslin.
Durham City: Dias, Mattison, Thompson [capt], Richard Knowles, Metcalfe, A Stevenson, B Stevenson, Curry, Nichols, Cammiss, Dent, Johnson, McKinnon, Smithson. Reps; Forrest, Willets, Roberts.
Referee: Steve Havery