The 22-7 home defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Alnwick last week was a major blow and we are now eleven points behind leaders Pocklington - but just one behind Penrith who now occupy the play-off place.
This week's rearranged game will now be the only North One East fixture this weekend and provides the opportunity to get back into second.
We had enough possession last week to have won several games. However, Alnwick's defence was superb and they were clinical when they finally broke out to deliver the sucker punch.,
The cause wasn't helped by two first half injuries with Sam Miller suffering an ankle ligament injury as he went for the try line. He was closely followed by Greg Edwards who received a badly cut nose and eye.
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Neither are fit for the trip to Hollow Drift although Greg should be back soon. Luke Mallinson is also unavailable, but we do have Ryan Painter and Rob Thorn back and they will both start. Matt Siddle had an excellent game on his 18th birthday standing in for Roo, where he will have learned a lot about rush defence, and he is expected to be on the bench. He will be joined by Alex Key (left) who featured for Durham County last season while with Horden and Peterlee. T The prop has looked impressive for the Stags in the last few weeks and gets his reward. |
West: Zac Southern, Rob Thorn, Liam Checksfield, Peter Youll, Will Hilditch, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Anth Carr, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, John Bunter, Joe Rafferty, Dan Boatman (captain), Lee Maddison, Carl Miller.
Changes: Alex Key, Jordan Foulds, Matt Siddle.
City: Phil Stewart, Rob Smith, Garry Izomor, Chris Metcalfe, Tom Elliott, Paul Armstrong, Will Paxton, Tim Mackay, Kenny Reader, Benny Parkinson, David Lyall, Josh Cotton, Kevin Showler, Craig Dominick, Howard Johnson.
Changes: David Atkinson, Max Bailey, Joe Maw.