Last week's 45-10 reverse at a hot and humid Pennine Park burst the winning bubble. However, it was an unfamiliar West side which faced Upper Eden and with four experienced players missing from the backs.

Skipper Ryan Painter,  wise old head Davy Heckles and top try scorer Max Tennant all return this week although Ollie Connolly is still sidelined while he recovers from the knock he took against Keswick.

The bonus from last week's game was the performance of the two former Academy lads. Sam Knight was outstanding at full-back, earning the coaches award, while Matty Baggs came in for his debut at scrum half and looked assured and comfortable throughout.

Not suprisingly both are involved again this week. Knight remains at full back while Matty makes way for the skipper and will be on the bench.

Jake Linighan once again started in the back row last week, however the club romantic is away this week having taken his girlfriend to Paris to celebrate her birthday.

However, after missing a lot of pre-season due to work commitments, Jay Corbett is now fit to start in a more familiar looking back row. The front five is the same having more than held their own against the sturdy citizens of the Eden Valley.

The lively Charlie Kay joins Baggs on the bench where Tim Blades makes his first welcome appearance of the season as front row cover.

They will face a Morpeth side making its first  trip of the season. The first two games saw them beat Stockton 28-12 and Consett 27-23 - the only surprise being the lack of bonus points following last seaaon when they finished runners-up to Penrith losing only four games.

The last time the two clubs met was at Brinkburn back in January 2018. The Northumbrians were top and West were down at the bottom of the league but pulled off a 23-13 win.  The West team that day was : Austwicke, Thorn, Checksfield, Youll, Hilditch, G Painter, R Painter, Coates, Rollins, Hadwen, Bunter, Linighan, Butcher, Foulds, Turner. Reps: Wood, Southern, Corbett.

The Stags have had a couple of close encounters and suffered last week at Upper Eden with the younger lads were in action  on the adjacent first team pitch. Man of the Match Liam Larkin enjoyed his run-out at scrum half and the veteran will be wearing their shirt again  across at the New Friarage.