While West were winning 12-10 at Acklam Park,  Northern were overcoming Consett at McCracken Park 36-17.  Very early days but those two results set up this week's encounter very nicely.

Games between the two sides are usually very entertaining. Last season Northern won the Brinkburn leg 29-7 at a time when West were still settling into the league after promotion. The game in Newcastle in March was a much closer affair with Northern forced to concede numerous scrum penalties, but still managing a 31-26 win as they held out in the last few minutes as West battered the home line. They went on to maintain an unbeaten home record.

The evidence from last week's game at Boro indicates that the West faithfull may be in for an entertaining season. It was a pacy performance full of committment and,  if the pressure on the home line for big chunk of the second half had produced a few more points,  we wouldnt have had a nervy last five minutes. Middlesbrough were gracious enough to freely admit the scoreline flattered them.

After that performance there's only a couple of changes. Chris Atkins, one of the stand-out players last season, was at a wedding last week but returns at No. 8 with Alex Barker rerturning to the flank and Jake Linighan back in his accustomed role at lock alongside Will Corbett who was also very impressive last week.

Connor McLurg had to limp off last week but will be able to start for the Stags, while Nick Bennions  drops down to the bench to provide front five cover alongside Liam Pennick and Zac Southern.

The Stags host Old Boys in their first CaNDY league game (also a 3.00 kick off) after Wensleydale were forced to cry off last week. Instead, the lads popped up to Gateshead for a game which the home side won 33-14.

They will be bolstered by the inclusion of some experineced first teamers this week including a slimline Jay Corbett, who will be chomping at the bit on the bench, and with Jacob Wood and Lewis Scott adding to the try-scoring threat.