The cliche is that we take every game as it comes and the trip to the Ponteland Leisure Centre won't be an easy one. It was last season's first away game and a salutory  lesson as the ball was relentlessly kicked to a smart set of backs who returned it with interest - winning the game 52-31. Fortunately, a lot has changed since then including a revenge score of 47-17 at Brinkburn in March.

This time around West go into the game unbeaten, while the hosts have yet to lose at home taking the scalps of Rockcliff, Novos, Horden and Old Boys . But, like West last season, they have struggled on the road.

There's the usual half-term changes this week. Isaac Robinson returns in the back row to allow an impressive Charlie Kay to continue his progress in the Stags, while skipper Ryan Painter starts after making his comeback from injury off the bench last week. He celebrated his recovery with two second half tries.

Sam Heron deputised very ably and returns to full back with Lewis Scott returning to the wing in place of the injured Max Tennant.

In the pack Jay Corbett is also injured so Chris Atkins start in the No 8 shirt with Will Corbett coming in for Jake Linighan, who has work commitments, as well as a sore ankle picked up in training last night.

Andy Turner is set to make his first league start of the season from the bench with Adam Coates also fit again to play a part. There may also be a debut for strong running centre Connor Allen - a former West junior who is serving  King and country and available for a few months.

Connor has been impressing with the Stags who will be taking on Billingham III's at Brinkburn and keen to put last week's poor show at Bishop Auckland behind them. They're as determined as the Firsts to stay at the top of their CaNDY league.