To mark the occasion the Alicadoos have arranged a mini-bus and there are a few places left. It leaves the club at 1.00 and gets back there at 6.30. Let me know if you want to come along.

We face their last trip of the season happy in the knowledge that we are back on track after flirting with relegation this time last season.

For most of this season the club has been in third place. A win at Percy Park this weekend, and in our two remaining home fixtures, will mean that we will finish somewhere in the top four.

Such is the turnaround that we head for North Shields as rare favourites with the home side unusually struggling to make an impact after losing some players last summer - Tynedale going down a league also meant Westoe lost some of their key players.

However, as always seems to happen on Grand National weekend, we will have a host of changes to the side which eventually overcame Pocklington last week

Aaron Myers and Luke Mallinson are away, with Eldon Myers preparing to represent the Royal Navy and not allowed to play league rugby by his employers.

Both Sam Miller and Connor Fewster are on County Under 20’s semi-final duties. However Liam Checksfield, who has a Durham Under 18’s trial against Cumbria on Sunday along with six of his West junior teammates, is in the centre.

Owen Bennett returns in the second row where he will partner John Bunter - allowing both Dan Boatman and Chris Atkins to help fill those vacant slots in the back row. Jay Corbett fills the one vacated by an injured Liam Bailey.

Zac Southern returns at full back and Joe Willis get his No 11 shirt back - he's scored five tries in it so far this season which is not bad for another 17 year old.

The coaches also give another of the up and coming lads an opportunity to experience senior rugby with impressive line-out jumper Fraser Handley named on the bench.

West: Zac Southern,  Joe Willis, Liam Checksfield,, Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Michael Hogan, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Owen Bennett, John Bunter, Jay Corbett,Liam Bailey, Chris Atkins, Dan Boatman (captain),

Reps: Jack Angus, Greg Edwards, Fraser Handley..