Regardless of this weekend’s results 2024 has been a highly successful year for our two senior league sides.

After finishing sixth on the return to Regional 2 rugby, the Firsts are currently lying fourth,  and have every prospect of improving on that with three of the other top sides still to visit Brinkburn. An average return of 35 points per game providing some excellent entertainment.

The Stags can better that having scored an average of almost 50 points per game, which has taken them to the top of the league. They are two points ahead of Darlington Bulls having played one game less.

The current success is based on getting good numbers out at training. Everything is centred on having one senior squad, rather than having two separate teams, with the result that 29 players have worn the first team shirt, so far, and none have looked out of place.

Guisborough arrive off the back of some improved results following their own promotion last season. Last week they beat Consett 34-15 at Belmangate to move four points clear of Kirkby Lonsdale, who currently occupy the relegation place.

It’s a real dogfight at the bottom and Guisborough will be hoping to get something out of this week’s game to ease their worries over Christmas.

They will also be keen to get a good start to their Christmas outing. We’ve agreed to the early kick off so they can move on to watch Falcons take on Bath at Kingston Park kicking off at 5.30 - no doubt followed by some light refreshment in Newcastle.

The West side contains several changes to the one which deserved more from last week’s 26-16 defeat at league leaders Northern. It was only the second game this season where we have come away without any league points.

Jake Linighan is unavailable so Owen Nugent steps up to the second row with Alex Barker starting,  while Liam Pennick returns to the front row.

In the backs Sam Knight returns to full back with Will Hilditch on the wing - Matt Siddle providing cover from the bench.

Skipper Martin Todd returns in the centre for the Stags with Ollie Webster also back to partner Jonny Wray in the second row .