McCracken Park  has rarely been one of our happier hunting grounds, so the news that it is very likely to be unplayable this week was not a massive blow.

In recent seasons  we have suffered two of our biggest defeats at McCracken Park. The 43-13 and 47-14 losses were easily the worst performances of the respective seasons, and things were not that much better last season when Northern won both games.

However, with Falcons off to Sochi in Russia for a European game, their all weather pitch will be hosting three local league games this Saturday. Northern v West kicks off first followed by Percy Park Lions v Morpeth Reivers and Ponteland Colts v Wigton Colts. We will still be using the Northern dressing rooms.

We travel as favourites by virtue of our third place, while the "hosts" are third bottom.

However, Northern have some notable scalps already this season - beating both high flying Alnwick and Morpeth - but came a cropper at Brinkburn earlier in the season when they lost 37-20.

They trained on the surface this week, and will be pulling out all the stops to move out of the relegation places where a real dogfight is emerging.

Our Tuesday session was based on preparing for a wet and heavy pitch. However,  the change of venue has resulted in one late change with the mobile Aaron Myers starting this week and skipper Danny Boatman moving up to partner Owen Bennett.

Adam Coates, who came on as a replacement in last week’s hard earned win over Guisborough, looks to have made a full receovery from his back and foot injuries and will once again be on the bench. He will be  alongside the versatile Greg Edwards and Joe Rafferty.

West: Stu Waites, Joe Willis, Eldon Myers, Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter,  Michael Hogan, Andrew Rollins, Jack Angus,  Owen Bennett, Dan Boatman (captain), Liam Bailey, Aaron Myers, Sam Miller.

Reps: Joe Rafferty, Adam Coates, Greg Edwards.