Sawyer, and fellow coach Dave Tighe, want to win the league by two clear points, not by points difference, and desperately want to keep the home league record intact. That's why there is only one change to the starting line-up with Neil Howe returning to the centre in place of the dependable and, on this occasion, unlucky Greg Edwards.

On the bench, Dave Garside replaces Phil Henderson who returns to the Stags line-up where he has excelled all season.

The good news for West supporters is that the pack is unchanged. In the last few weeks they have stepped up a gear and overpowered bigger opposition, in City and Gateshead, with their speed and support play. The pack is, literally, on a roll and will be looking to continue that form in front of what will almost certainly be the biggest crowd yet seen at Brinkburn.

With Hartlepool United away. the importance and drama promised by this game has not been lost on the genuine sporting fans of the town. They will swell the ranks of the West and Rovers diehards - let's hope the spectacle will entice them to watch more rugby next season.

But don't bank on it! None of the recent meetings between the two have produced flowing rugby. although there has been plenty of drama with Mr Moss's left boot providing a lot if it in the last minute. He was on superb form last week. Let's hope he can produce another similar performance before going away for a well earned rest as well as an opportunity to get ready for the bigger challenge of North One.

Somebody who may, or may not, be striding out for West in North One [ok Tim, if we do get there!] is Rob Thorn. He is officially this website's first signing, after using the message board to register his interest in joining the club, when his British Energy training programme brought him to Hartlepool. That was 18 tries ago and everyone at Brinkburn would love to see him doing his stuff in the higher league.

Quite where Rob will be next season is not yet known. He will eventually gain a permanent position at a nuclear power station - let's hope its at ours! You'd have to be daft to bet on Rob not signing out with a try.

Rovers will be well aware of his threat. Our neighbours have finally risen to the challenge in the last few games and put themselves in a position where their fate is in their own hands. Win at Brinkburn and they are safe. Lose and they will have to rely on Carlisle or Old Crocs losing at home. If the latter scenario comes to pass then, I suspect, most Westies would not be too upset.

West:15 Gavin Painter 14 Rob Thorn 13 Peter Hodgson 12 Neil Howe 11 Andrew Cheslin 10 Paul Moss 9 Davy Tighe 1 Anth Carr [capt] 2 Andrew Dixon 3 Jon Norris 4 Tom Dixon 5 Andrew Davies 6 Dan Boatman 7 Jon Boatman 8 Paul Rudd 16 Jon Norris 17 Dave Garside 18 Colin Cheslin

Rovers:15 Mark Shires 14 Chris Sainty 13 Brian Foreman 12 Phil Hall 11 Andrew Lilley 10 Gareth Foreman [capt] 9 Andrew Arnell 1 Michael Tucker 2 Jonathon Cushlow 3 Glen Wise 4 Darren Smith 5 Steve Wallis 6 Simon Hall 7 Paul Kirton 8 Stewart Grazier 16 Reece Bingham 17 Michael Taylor 18 Adie Rose

Referee: John Meredith [Durham Society]