Park’s first team arrive in pole position in Regional 2 North and are slugging it out with Northern for the promotion spot,  with the sides due to meet at McCracken Park on the last day of the season. Park, however, do have a game in hand.

They have lost only one game, so far, which might be a monkey off their backs as they will arrive remembering that almost exactly two years ago West were the only team to defeat them all season in an epic 36-35 game.

It wasn’t that close in the game at Preston Avenue back in October where Park ran out 52-24 winners. Although we did manage four tries,  which not many have achieved against the league leaders.

That game saw an under-strength pack struggle manfully against Park’s big front five. Chris Atkins, Jake Linighan and Isaac Robinson were all missing that day but will be available this week,  as will skipper Ryan Painter following his hamstring injury last year.

Unfortunately, we will be without Matt Siddle, who was red-carded at City last week for a reckless tackle, and the injured Matt Baggs who has been in excellent form at scrum half in Roo's absence.

Lewis Scott returns to partner Will Hilditch in the centre with 17-year-old Jacob Wood  on the right wing where he's scored a try in each of his first three games - the skipper's return means we now have two players over the age of 30, pass the slippers.

The Stags take on the Lions in a friendly game with a team which is once again a mix of youth and experience. Good to see Tom Robertson's name on the team sheet after his lengthy absence following his shoulder operation. 

A strong Vets side head to Tyneside with some really familiar over-35s who have  been in the garage looking for their boots this week.