Both clubs have been hit by injuries and unvailabilities with Morpeth suffering a few knocks in their defeat at Consett last week, while West will be without skipper Ryan Painter who has a hamstring strain. Quite a few others have work commitments - either on the shop floor or the Xmas dance floor.
Morpeth shaded the game at Brinkburn 27-23 - the first home defeat in over a year. It was one of several games where West could have won, needing a try in the dying minutes to take the game, but Morpeth held out. They were relieved when a Davy Heckles' pass to Chris Atkins went to ground to end the game.
The clubs go into the second leg (kick off 2.00) with just one league point between them. Morpeth are in ninth place, while last week's win over Upper Eden put 10th place West some six points clear of the relegation zone.
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Two interesting new faces in the West line-up. Twenty two year old Josh Wilson gets his first start in the second row following a Man of the Match performance at No. 8 for the Stags on his return to the club. Josh has also played for Rovers. And on the bench Jacob Wood (right) will provide backs cover after also impressing with the Stags on his step up from the Academy. He's a strong running former spirnter who has been exciting the coaches. Together with Sam Knight and Matty Baggs, who both also start this week, the club is developing a string of impressive young talent. Credit once again to the coaches at all levels. |
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Will Hilditch makes a welcome return after getting the jet lag out of his legs with the Stags last week. He'll partner Knight in midfield with Chrissy Atkins at No. 8 and leading the side.
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Firsts @ Morpeth Kick off 2.00 |
Stags v Novos Kick off 2.00 |
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| Matt Siddle | 15 | Aaron Pike |
| Lewis Scott | 14 | Jordan Painter |
| Sam Knight | 13 | Liam Larkin |
| Will Hildiitch | 12 | Kyle Jamieson |
| Max Tennant | 11 | Ben Briggs |
| Ollie Connolly | 10 | Zac Southern |
| Matty Baggs | 9 | Kai Peirse |
| Jack Angus | 1 | Ross Wood |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | 2 | Cameron Mould |
| Adam Hutchinson | 3 | Tim Blades |
| Josh Wilson | 4 | James Tyers |
| Ollie Webster | 5 | Fraser Henderson |
| Connor McLurg | 6 | Dan Robson |
| Isaac Robinson | 7 | Jay Anderson |
| Chris Atkins -captain | 8 | Luke Bage |
| Louis Adamson | 16 | Nick Bennions |
| Charlie Kay | 17 | Adam Coates |
| Jacob Wood | 18 | Charlie Geritz |