Middlesbrough

By Dave Picken - September 12 2008
Middlesbrough
Iain Dixon
The West side which starts life in North One, with the visit of neighbours Middlesbrough, will feature half a dozen changes from the side which beat Rovers in the last game in North Two East. But only one of them will be a new face. Paul Vinnicombe is the one newcomer - the rest are "old boys."

Jamie Connolly, Aaron Myers, Iain Dixon, Iain Robinson and Gareth Kerr are all Westies who have returned after experiencing rugby in the National Leagues and helping to take Mowden in the National Three North play off.

Kerr now lives in Newcastle, but all of the others continued to do their socialising at Brinkburn, and it is little surprise that they've taken the opportunity to return now we are playing at a higher level.

Iain Robinson is still recovering from a knee operation but should be in contention for a second row place soon. The others come straight into the squad after showing their quality in the warm-up games.

On paper the strengthening of the squad should make us a competitive side this season. Boro will provide an interesting challenge, with former West Colts Rob Bellerby in the centre and scrum half Tom Dougherty on the bench. Both players were highly regarded at Brinkburn before opting to play for the club closer to their homes.

Points kicking machine Simon Moore lines up at fly half for the visitors instead of his customary full back. The pack contains the likes of Ritchie Horton, Marty Howe and Isa Warsama who will provide a solid challenge.

West coaches Tim Sawyer and Kevan Oliphant will be looking to continue where we left off against Morpeth last week. The backs were instrumental in all 9 tries and once again they will be looking to play an expansive game.

Dan Boatman is the man to fill the vacant second row berth alongside Tom Dixon. Both Carlo Robinson and skipper Anth Carr have recovered from knocks and will start in the front row with the ever improving Jon Norris as cover on the bench.

West15 Iain Dixon 14 Andrew Cheslin 13 Gareth Kerr 12 Jamie Connolly 11 Colin Cheslin 10 Paul Moss 9 Davy Tighe 1 Anth Carr [capt] 2 Andrew Dixon 3 Carl Robinson 4 Tom Dixon 5 Dan Boatman 6 Jon Boatman 7 aaron Myers 8 Paul Vinnicombe 16 Jon Norris 17 P Henderson 18 D Thomas

Boro 15 Callum Campbell 14 Danny Poole 13 Robert Bellerby 12 Paul Norris 11 Ben Wood 10 Simon Moore 9 Peter Wright 8 Martin Howe 7 Gavin Fingland 6 Matt Wright 5 Andrew Hutchinson 4 Iain Bradford 3 Craig Chapman 2Richard Horton 1 Isa Warsama 15 Phil Adamson 16 Michael Tebbs 17 Tom Dougherty