As befits one of the region's oldest and proudest proud clubs, City have turned things around winning Durham and Northumberland One last season and  losing only one game all season.

They will be looking to consolidate back in North One East this year with the league encounters of more importance to both clubs. City will be back at Brinkburn on Bonfire Night and we will be at Hollow Drift in March.

We go into the cup game on the back of two fine performances on the road where we scored nine tries at Rochdale and five at Boro. Those games gave a lot of up and coming players their first taste of senior rugby, which will come in useful this weekend as a number of regulars are missing throiugh work and holiday commitments.

The Painter brothers have started the sesaon in great form but both are away, and so is Sam Miller who scored a hat trick at Acklam Park last week as well as Michael Hogan.

West: Eldon Myers, Tom Armstrong Liam Checksfield, Paul Moss, Peter Youll, Zac Southern, Matt Siddle, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Tim Blades, John Bunter, Jay Corbett, Alex Barker, Lee Maddison, Dan Boatman (capt).

Bench: Connor McLurg, Adam Brown, Jordan Foulds, Ross Wood, Greg Edwards,  Rob Thorn, Matt Tyers.

City: Phil Stewart, Rob Smith, Gaey Izomor, Bradley Pears, Sam Heron, Paul Armstrong, Will Paxton, Tim Mackay, Mike Hay, Benny Parkinson, Kevin Showler, Kyle Wilson, Chris Metcalfe, Craig Dominick, Tom Baty.

Bench: Josh White, Colin Hogg, Josh Cotton, Arnie Stevenson, James Earley.