This weekend will also be a test of the strength of the playing resources, which veer wildly from week to week. On paper there are two strong squads out despite the usual merry-go-round of injuries and work commitments.
There's a new front row for the first team with Adam Coates recovering from a mid-week operation on his broken arm, while Tim Blades is carrrying a knee injury from Tuesday's training.
Forrtunately, Danny Cookland is now back in action and was outstanding for the Stags last week. So was Adam Brown when he came off the bench at Aspatria, and was extremely unlucky not to be awarded one try and could have add another couple. Both start alongside Aidan Jackson-Smith.
Jake Linighan has work commitments allowing a fit again Tom Robertson returns to partner the hard working Craig Hadwen in the second row.
Isaac Robinson has been another unsung hero in recent weeks but he is also unavailable this week. Fortunately, Scott Butcher (pictured) is able return to partner Chris Atkins and Andy Turner in the back row. Butch has five tries from just eight games.
Not too many changes in the backs with Max Tennant starting on the wing and Owen Westhorp providing cover from the bench where Will Corbett also returns after a lengthy spell out injured.
|
Firsts v Novos Kick off 3.00 |
Stags v Durham City Kick off 3.00 |
| Sam Heron | Zac Southern |
| Max Tennant | Matt Tyers |
| Will Hilditch | Jake Tennant |
| Ollie Connolly | Jordan Painter |
| Lewis Scott | Jacob Parker |
| Matt Siddle | Dan Quinn |
| Ryan Painter (capt) | Mark Lund |
| Danny Cookland | Adam Simpson |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | Ollie Webster |
| Adam Brown | Ross Wood |
| Tom Robertson | Fin Ridley |
| Craig Hadwen | Cameron Allison |
| Chris Atkins | Cameron Mould |
| Scott Butcher | Ryan Godfrey |
| Andy Turner | Glynn Pickering |
| Brandon Bulmer | |
| Alex Barker | Charlie Caswell |
| Owen Westhorp | Liam Liston |
| Will Corbett | Liam Larkin |
| Matthew Smart | |
| Michael Parker | |
| Liam Smith | |
| Callum Treagar |