Team Northumbria Preview

By Dave Picken - March 11 2011
Team Northumbria Preview
Operation Delayed
Top try scorer Stephen Stockdale returns as we start a run of three home games with Team Northumbria first up  [kick off 3,00] ....

Skipper Jonny Boatman is also in the team after his planned toe operation was postponed, but Anth Carr could well be missing as he prepares to head off to Holland to work.

As a result Jon Norris starts his first game since returning from Old Boys, and he'll pack down in a youthful front row which includes Adam Coates and Liam Bailey. The latter has recovered from the nasty bite he received in the incident which saw the unfortunate skipper yellow carded last week as he went to Bailey's aid.

Tom Dixon is away again so the dependable Carl Miller steps up into the second row, with the experienced Matt Holmes providing cover on the bench.

There is no doubt our strength is depth will be tested in the coming weeks with Bailey also due to miss the following three games. 

Most of the enforced changes will be in the pack in the coming weeks with the backs looking a pretty settled unit at the moment. The centre pairing is strong in defence, and they will need to be on their guard against Team Northumbria who have some youthful pace and skill in the ranks with Scottish Under 20's Sevens winger Chris McTurk  the main danger.

The "students" were fancied for another promotion this season but have found the greater phsyicality of this league a little daunting at times.  They also struggle to turn out a settled side, and there are only five members of the team we beat back in November in this week's starting line-up.

They play some great rugby at times but have had some strange results including a 55-0 hammering at Wheatley Hills, and last week conceded 40 points at home to Driffield.

West:  Colin  Cheslin, Adam Larkin, Luke Watson, Gavin Robinson, Andrew Cheslin, Gareth Foreman, Andrew Foreman,  Adam Coates,  Liam Bailey, Jon Norris, Carl Miller, Andrew Davies, Dan Boatman, Jon Boatman (capt),  Stephen Stockdale. Reps from:  Darren Thomas, Scott Butcher, Matt Holmes, Anth Carr.

Team Northumbria: Sam Ash, Sean Bellon, Guy Pike, Ash Goodwin, Chris McTurk, Paddy Harper, Calum Blyth, Ollie Holtam, Josh Rose, Oli Longmore, Phil Ludford [capt], Tom Schofield, Nick Watt, Tim Acheson, Stuart Wilson. Reps: Adam Nash, Louis Whitworth, Russell Wilshire.

 
Team Northumbria Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2011 10:50


Re: Team Northumbria Preview
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2011 11:23

Bite? That was kept quiet?
Anyway lets hope for plenty of support in the next three home games and give the lads the support they deserve. They've toughed out some great results this season in some appalling playing conditions.

Re: Team Northumbria Preview
Posted by: Dave Picken (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2011 11:36

I mentioned it because those of us on the touchline initially thought Jonny was a bit rash in jumping in. However, after seeing the mark on Liam's arm you can understand why he reacted in the way he did. I think it is only fair to explain that.

Re: Team Northumbria Preview
Posted by: Dogtrack (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2011 14:27

Did the ref not see it then?

Re: Team Northumbria Preview
Posted by: MikeyBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2011 15:03

team northumbria have definately had some strange results. I don't know whether its a good or bad thing that there's only a few of the same team we beat! Looking forward to it

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