Credit to the CaNDY league which ensures that virtually every team has an end of season finale with a number of cup competitions including Plates, Bowls and even Saucers.

As the game recovers from covid the efforts  put in by league organiser Craig Johnston have been more inmportant than ever - rugby in the region owes him a big debt of gratitude.

Numbers of players available have been up and down but the lure of the cup, followed by a night out in Durham, enticed record numbers at second tream training last night.The session was  boosted by quite a few of the regular first teamers turning out to make it an excellent session.

The Stags have also been boosted by the availability of half a dozen Colts  after their season ended a few weeks ago,  and by the return of Rob Thorn in the last couple of weeks. You couldn't ask for a better role model than the former first team winger together with fellow centre partner Martin Todd.

Forrtunately, Graeme Southern is now able to devote more time to coaching and orghanising the Stags and hopes to continue next season, which will be a major boost to our senior rugby.

The tricky task this week for the senuior coaches has been in selecting the starting XV from all of those on the charabanc.

Stags: Ben Briggs, Mark Lund, Rob Thorn, Martin Todd, Jordan Painter, Zac Southern, Jacob Parker, Jack Angus, Ryan Godfrey, Ross Wood, James Tyers, Ollie Webster, Bailey Lindridge, Glyn Pickering, Alex Barker.

Changes from: Charlie Caswell, Cameron Mould, Callum Tregear, Will Corbett, Ryan O'Keefe,  Cameron Allison, Liam Liston, Charlie Kay, Jay I'Anson,Louis Adamson, Matt Baggs, Danny Quinn, Will Cameron, Liam Larkin, Graeme Scott, Matt Tyers.