Both the first and second teams will be wearing pink as the club hosts a sell-out function to raise funds for Breast Cancer research.
On the pitch, we go into the game against the top side knowing we threw away a golden opportunity to earn an away win last week.
We went into a 14-0 lead at Malton and Norton, but lost our way after playmaker Stu Waites limped off on the quarter hour with a knee injury, eventually going down 34-24. Fortunately, Stu is fit to resume this week.
However, Will Hilditch’s run of bad luck continues. Last week was his first back after a concussion, and he celebrated by scoring the try which earned a bonus point. Unfortunately, he then finished the game with a broken hand and is likely to be out for four weeks.
Danny Cookland is unavailable this week so Liam Pennick starts in the only change to the pack, while Luke Mallinson comes in on the wing and Ollie Connolly resumes at full back after missing last week's trip.
The Bees arrive having scored 50 points in their last two games. The first at a Huddersfield YMCA who are playing under the shadow of their parent organisation being put into adminsitration. Last week's big win was over new boys Moortown.
West: Ollie Connolly, Luke Mallnson, Zac Southern, Peter Youll, Lewis Scott, Stu Waites, Ryan Painter (capt), Adam Coates, Andrew Rollins, Liam Pennick, John Bunter, Jake Linighan, Alex Barker, Laim Bailey, Chris Atkins.
Changes: Aidan Jackson-Smith, Ethan Ledington, Max Tennant.
STAGS AND BUCKS - Dan Quinn writes:
This Saturday sees the return of Ladies day and the Bucks – our Third team!!
This is great news for the club and will make Ladies day that bit more spectacular! It has been a tough old slog at times to get back to the position to field three competitive teams, but we have got there and are certainly looking to maintain and build on it going forward.
Back in 2012 the Bucks had a successful campaign and actually went over 15 months without getting beat! Back in the Buck’s glory days we had the likes of Ryan Painter, Jay Corbett, Andy Turner and Luke Mallinson playing amongst others, who are now regular first team players.
Tomorrow we see a handful of players who played for the Bucks back in 2012, with a mix of fresh new and youthful faces, pull on a West Shirt for the either the Firsts, Stags or Bucks. This shows the great development and commitment we have in the club.
For the Stags who look to take on Bishop Auckland, we have a mixture of youth, age and experience. Jack Angus, Cam Mould and Jonny Hunter will provide front row support, with Jimmy Tyers and Adam Simpson providing the engine behind them. Josh “Young Blood” Riley, James Borthwick and Alex Johnson will feature in the back row.
Dan Quinn & Ben Armstong will partner up at 9 and 10 pulling the strings and orchestrate the game…or so we would like to believe.
In the backs, there is a huge amount of pace including the likes of Johnson, Westhorp, Willis, Hazell, Rutherford and Harrison who are all lighting! Will Cameron – Son of Fat Cam, is also set to make his Senior Debut for the club and we are expecting big things! Craig Palliser has recently signed back to the club along with his pal and good friend of West Strongest “Mush” for miles, Matt Fleey (who can’t play tomorrow as he was caught preforming shirtless with Basehuner the other week and managed to hurt his back), Harry Jon-Morgan. Unfortunately Harry won’t be playing tomorrow but will be there on the side line providing a helping hand. Scotty Parker will also be amongst things to provide cover for any position needed, as that the type of guy he is!
The Bucks look even more exciting and very promising. Gez, Morgan and Evens are defiantly a force to be reckoned with. Jack Jarvis is also set to return to Rugby after he damaged his knee at Horden last season. This is another great boost for the club! Dickson, Liam “the tackling machine” Larkin, Fat Cam (making a comeback warrior!!), Cheshire and Denzil are some of the returning Vets, who will bring some experience to the side. This experience will be accompanied by the youthful Jordan Painter, who has played exceptionally well on his return to Rugby, Will Corbett, Liam Smith, Immy and Matt Tyers (as his wedding duty is now complete, he is back amongst it)!
GF, Peter Wiki and Sos will provide cover for the Bucks. This bench must have over 200 years between them but are as just exciting now as they were back in the War!
On a serious note, tomorrow is set to be a great day for the club and a massive achievement for all those involved. Fielding three senior teams is a testament to the Club and the lads. It is something that we need to keep building on.
The lads are set to meet at 13:30 tomorrow and will then join the Ladies after they have enjoyed an afternoon of, prosecco, lots of gin, music and a bit of Rugby!
Stags: Angus, Mould, Hunter, Tyers, Simpson, Riley, Borthwick, Johnson, Armstrong, Quinn, Johnstone, Westhorp, Willis, Hazell, Harrison, Cameron, Rutherford, Palliser, Parker.
Bucks: Geritz, Hamilton, Evans, Jarvis, Dickson, Larkin, Mclurg, Fat Cam, Cheshire, Denzil, Painter, Todd, Corbett, Smith, Tyers, GF, Wilko, SOS, Mixy, Mehdi