Our teams are riding high in their respective leagues with the Stags now officially top of CaNDY Division Two South having 50 points from ten games. Darlington Bulls are second with 48 points from 11 games. Keep it up lads.

The Firsts are currently fourth in Regional 2 North -  seven points behind leaders Northern who we meet at McCracken Park next week.

It’s a more than satisfactory league position, but one could have been so much better if it hadn’t been for two last minute defeats. That includes the controversial 38-36 defeat by Northern at Brinkburn back in September,  and last week’s 42-41 defeat at City where victory was again snatched away at the death.

Lessons to be learned from both of those games for the second half of the season.

This week’s visitors are currently the leading Cumbrian club in the league following their promotion from Cumbria One last season, but will arrive having lost their last three games. All were at home (Carlisle 7 Keswick 57, Carlisle 13 Morpeth 32, Carlisle 39 Consett 43).

We go into the game without Jay Corbett who was injured in the first half last week. Fortunately, Chris Atkins came through unscathed,  after coming on to replace Jay, and he will be back in his customary No 8 shirt.

Owen Nugent pulled a hamstring last week so Connor McLurg returns in the back row,  otherwise it’s the same starting XV which scored six tries at Hollow Drift.

There are changes on the bench where Will Hilditch returns from injury to provide backs cover. Alex Barker is also fit again to resume while Adam Hutchinson is the front row cover.

The Stags have a familiar looking line up with some real gas in the backs in the shape of Jacob Wood and Lewis Scott, with  a rejuvenated Greg Edwards using his experience from full back.

Jack Angus is back from suspension to pack down alongside Liam Liston and Tim Blades in the front row. Charlie Kay returns in the back row after coming off the bench for the firsts last week.