The Northumbrians have their own difficult journey to Pocklington this week, so a West win over City could mean we travel next week with a comfortable cushion.
The unbeaten run comes courtesy of last week's 13-13 draw at Penrith - a game where we had the better chances to clinch a win. It was achieved without a lot of the regular faces - most are back this week with the exception of top try scorer Liam Checksfield who injured a calf at the Scottish Exiles Under 18's training camp.
However, this week does see the return of the Myers boys, Eldon and Aaron, as well as skipper Danny Boatman who has missed the last two games. Fellow back row Lee Maddison (pictured), in superb form so far, also returns.
Their availability has provided a selection headache of the right kind for the coaches who also have to turn out second and third teams who can win their County Cup games - the Stags against Blaydon at Brinkburn and the Bucks at Ryton.
Eldon Myers has been able to train this week and comes in alongside Peter Youll, with last week's try scorer Will Hilditch on one wing and Joe Willis keeping his palce on the other after his return to action at Penrith.
Skipper Boatman moves up to partner the excellent John Bunter in the second row, with Alex Barker and Sam Miller continuing in the back row after their hard graft at Penrith, and Lee Maddison returning to join them.
Adam Coates gets the front row start this week with Ross Wood providing the front row cover, Greg Edwards the backs and Aaron Myers, who has only just returned from working abroad, offering a number of other options.
The two sides met pre-season when we sneaked a County Cup win by just one point at Brinkburn, and City come into the game after doing us a big favour last week when they beat Pocklington 23-22 at Hollow Drift. No easy task.
They are lying in 11th place just one point ahead of the relegation zone, but are proving difficult to beat at home where only Alnwick have been successful, so far. It's been a different matter on the road where they have lost all three games.
West: Zac Southern, Joe Willis, Eldon Myers, Peter Youll, Will Hilditch, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Michael Hogan, John Bunter, Dan Boatman (captain),Alex Barker, Lee Maddison, Sam Miller.
Changes: Ross Wood, Aaron Myers, Greg Edwards.
City: Charlie Scott, Garry Izomor, Bradley Pears, David Buchan, Josh White, Arnie Stevenson, Paul Armstrong, Mike Hay, Tim Mackay, David Lyall, Kevin Showler, Alex Whitfield, Tom Wilkinson, Craig Dominick, Peter Dent.
Changes: Dean Holden, Colin Hogg, Josh Pratt