With the new Bucks side also joining the CaNDY league in Division Three Central it will, hopefully, be another season of progress for our senior sides.

There will also be some new faces to watch during the season with a handful of lads signing on including experienced fly-half Jobe Roxby (ex-Billingham and Stockton), dynamic Argentinian back row Mauro "Chino" Rocha (ex-Beverley and various points west), back row Elliott Reed (ex-Rovers and Durham Under 20s) and second row Jake Mulcahy (ex-Seaton).

Jobe Roxby starts for the Firsts against a Percy Park side unlucky to be relegated last season - only going down by virtue of a last ditch penalty at the hands of Driffield, which kept Blaydon up.

Park will no doubt be keen to put matters right in a season which will end with play-offs – replacing the problematic Papa Johns Cup. It’s complicated but click here for an explanation.

Jobe will take his place alongside scrum half Matt Siddle at half back with a familiar pairing of Peter Youll and Ollie Connolly in the centre. Sam Knight and Jacob Wood were in great running form against Old Brods and will be on the wings with Ben Reed at full back.

Will Hilditch and Max Tennant were not in contention this week after picking up knocks, while Ryan Painter is still serving a six match ban after disagreeing with the referee during the 71-24 win over Durham City. He is also one off the players likely to have work and domestic commitments this season including Will Corbett, who is also doing the Great North Run this weekend.

Jake Linighan is available this week - he starts in the second row alongside Nick Bennions with Alex Barker and Charlie Kay in the back row. Ryan O'Keefe missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but the second row is now full fit and will be back on the first team bench.

Jonny Wray will once again lead the Stags as they take on the second strings of clubs whose first teams are higher up the league ladder -including Tynedale and Blaydon as well as Mowden Park, of course.