Our hopes of a swift return to North One East are very much back on after rivals Northern slipped at home to Westoe last week.
As a result it's West who now occupy second place in Durham and Northumberland One – and even a win without a bonus point would ensure that’s how we will finish the league season.

If sides finish the season on level points the next deciding factor is the number of games won.

However, it won’t be easy against a relaxed Novos side who will finish the season in sixth place  - regardless of the final week’s results.
The home side have a pacy set of backs, a good home record and deserved their try bonus point when we beat them 51-27 on the opening day of the season.

Oncre again we will go into the game without our two top try scorers. Skipper Ryan Painter was sent off at City as the home side reacted to the award of their last second winning penalty while Will Hilditch picked up a mild concussion in that game which earned him a precautionary three week rest.

Luke Mallinson did an excellent job standing in at scrum half against Gateshead, unfortunately he is away so the call has gone down to Essex to bring Matt Siddle (pictured) back for this week’s game.

Sid played four games earlier in the season - he was on the bench in that first game of the season - and has been playing for Thurrock in Essex on a student registration.

That also allows him to play for his main club, and he will come straight into the side which will show few other changes after running in nine tries against Gateshead last week.

Adam Coates returns in the front row after sitting out last week's game while Michael Hogan takes over from Adam Brown who is unavailable. Scott Butcher returns in the back row with Jay Corbett suffering a bruised foot

West: Zac Southern, Max Tennant, Davy Heckles, Peter Youll, Adam Peacock, Stu Waites, Matt Siddle, Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Michael Hogan, Jake Linighan, Chris Atkins, Alex Barker, Isaac Robinson, Scott Butcher.

Changes: John Bunter, Callum Johnston, Johnny Hunter