Skipper Danny Boatman has work commitments and hasn't been able to train much in the last few weeks. As a result he starts the game on the bench with Stu Waites taking on the armband.

That allows Sam Miller to start in his customary No 8 shirt alongside Liam Bailey and Aaron Myers who will have the job of starving Alnwick's enterprising half backs of possession. In addition to Calum Burn and Henry Todd, the home  side are boosted by the return of full back James Bird for bis first start at Greensfield.

 They will be without young flanker Gordon Smith who was sent off at Morley last week. That was  another close game with Morley cementing their place at the top with a late score to give them a 33-24 win.

We suffered a similar reverse in this fixture last season thanks to a controversial last gasp penalty try  - one which baffled players and supporters from both sides.

It came when two Alnwick forwards (not the three you need to form a maul) broke away from a proper maul and headed for the line unopposed only for half backs Ryan Painter and Stu Waites to halt them with tackles  which the ref deemed illegal.

The seven points denied us what would have been a well deserved losing bonus point at a time when every point was vital. Fortunately, we were spurred on to finish the season  in mid-table - just one place ahead of this week's hosts.

This season we are currently three places ahead  with Alnwick losing their last home game in another tight game. Guisborough coming out 18-15 winners.

We have also stuttered a little with our previous rock solid defence breached by some soft tries.

West: Zac Southern, Joe Willis, Stu Waites (capt), Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Michael Hogan,  Andrew Rollins, Ross Wood, Owen Bennett, Chris Atkins, Liam Bailey, Aaron Myers, Sam Miller.

Changes: Jack Angus, Luke Mallinson, Dan Boatman.