Battle of the Brothers

By Dave Picken - December 24 2008
Battle of the Brothers
Myers Returns
One of the most interesting Boxing Day clashes for years looks like being very much a Battle of the Brothers. The line-ups are littered with Foremans, Cushlows, Barnfields, Halls, Dixons and Cheslins ... there would have been more if Jonny Boatman had not been injured. Brinkburn ko 2.00.

Jonny is still out following his broken leg, but Aaron Myers returns after his broken arm. He came through 60 minutes at Horden for the Stags last week and is a straight replacement for the impressive Dominic Morrison - celebrating Christmas back home in London.

Gareth Kerr is also away while Jamie Connolly has a dead leg after last week's victory over Stockport wand Rob Thorn still has shoulder problems. Paul Vinnicombe's "man flu" appears to have turned into the real thing and he is doubtful.

As a result two more West youngsters get a chance to savour the thrills of Boxing Day. Full back Scott Jordan joins winger Scott Butcher in the squad.

Darren Thomas strained knee ligaments in setting up an Iain Dixon try last week so Paul Williamson comes back into the first team at scrum half.

Rovers don't appear to have the same problems - naming their normal starting line-up - the one which has taken Durham and Northumberland One by storm.

West Squad Iain Dixon, Scott Jordan, Colin Cheslin, Scott Butcher, Greg Edwards, Neil Howe, Peter Hodgson, Andrew Cheslin, Paul Moss,Paul Williamson, Anth Carr [C], Andrew Dixon, Jon Norris, Chris Stewart, Iain Robinson, Tom Dixon, Dan Boatman, Aaron Myers, Tim Sawyer Andrew Coates, Carl Miller, Paul Vinnicombe.

Rovers 15 Brian Foreman 14 Chris Sainty 13 Phil Hall 12 Andrew Lilley 11 Ben Cushlow 10 Gareth Foreman 9 Andrew Foreman 1 Ian Pinchen 2 Jon Cushlow 3 Glen Wise 4 Mark Power [C] 5 Dean Cook 6 Tom Hall 7 Michael Taylor 8 Stewart Brazier 16 Michael Tucker 17 Stuart Langston 18 Phil Jukes 19 Darren Smith 20 Steve Barnfield 21 Michael Barnfield 22 Steve Railton