There's a few changes for the Firsts with Jay Corbett happily still missing following the arrival of Penny earlier this week - many congrats to Jay and Abby and the rest of the Corbett clan.
MaxTennant is unavailable this week , while Tom Robertson will be out for a few weeks after dislocating his shoulder in the second half last week.
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And, sadly, Andy Turner's excellent performance as a stand-in second row against Guisborough last week was his last as he has had to retire from playing. Fittingly, it was a big score to go out on and one which was witnessed by the Turner and Lancaster families. Andy, of course, is married to Charlotte - daughter of our former prop Phil Lancaster. The 29 year-old has had a long battle with ankle injuries and his surgeon has now advised it would be sensible if he curtailed his rugby playing. We will all remember how delighted he was to finallly return to rugby action in January, and his try-scoring efforts at No 8 were a major factor in why we started to win away games last season.
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It all means a reshuffle in the back row with Aidan Jackson-Smith starting alongside Chrissy Atkins and Isaac Robinson. Alex Johnson, on fine form on his return from Rovers, continues where he left off last week at hooker.
Jake Linighan is back and he'll partner Will Corbett in the second row. Uncle Will had an excellent game against Guisborough last week - taking over Jake's mantle in the line-out and making lots of yards with ball in hand.
In the backs one speedster replaces another with Lewis Scott starting this week in a back-line which is otherwise unchanged.
There's experience and youth on the bench with Adam Coates providing front-row support and Zac Southern returning to cover the backs. Charlie Kay continues his development to provide back row cover.
Not quite so many available for the Stags this week, must be close to Christmas, but Tim Blades returns at prop and Joe Picken starts for the first time at stand-off following his return from Billingham.
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Firsts @ Hartlepool (OB's) Kick off 2.00 |
Stags @ Hartlepool IIs Kick off 2.00 |
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| Matt Siddle | 15 | Matthew Smart |
| Will Hilditch | 14 | Jordan Painter |
| Davy Heckles | 13 | Connor Allen |
| Ollie Connolly | 12 | Martin Todd |
| Lewis Scott | 11 | Matt Tyers |
| Sam Heron | 10 | Joe Picken |
| Ryan Painter (capt) | 9 | Matt Baggs |
| Jack Angus | 1 | Tim Blades |
| Alex Johnson | 2 | Cameron Mould |
| Adam Hutchinson | 3 | Charlie Caswell |
| Will Corbett | 4 | Ollie Webster |
| Jake Linighan | 5 | Jonny Wray |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | 6 | Liam Larkin |
| Isaac Robinson | 7 | Connor McLurg |
| Chris Atkins | 8 | Nathan Finn |
| Charlie Kay | 16 | Callum Tragear |
| Zac Southern | 17 | Bailey Lindridge |
| Adam Coates | 18 |