It has been an interesting first half of the season with most clubs able to earn a victory on the day. West go into the game in seventh place just three points ahead of the relegation play-off place,-currently held by City, -but at the same time only two points adrift of the fifth placed promotion play-off place -currently enjoyed by Upper Eden.
If nothing else the new play-off regime looks like keeping things interesting until the very end of the season, which is the aim.
Some consistency is something the Brinkburn faithful would appreciate. A lack of a killer instinct has cost West dear with the result that only five of the 12 game have been won so far.
At Brinkburn back in September, Sunderland showed what is required with a 13-11 victory based on strong teamwork and being well organised. As a result they are in third place having won seven of their games – but still only have five more points than West. So still all to play for.
Injuries and Christmas parties mean there are are a couple of changes to the side which gave Northern a tough game last week. Will Hilditch switches to full-back in the absence of Lewis Scott with Max Tennant returning on the wing.
Up front Connor McLurg was impressive off the bench last week and comes into the second row alongside Nick Bennions.
The Stags go into their game with anew half-back pairing with Matty Baggs starting at fly-half and Will Tighe back from University at scrum half.
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Firsts @ Sunderland Kick off 2.00 |
Stags v Sunderland Shipwrights Kick Off 2.00 |
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| Will Hilditch | 15 | Max Tobin |
| Sam Knight | 14 | Jacob Wood |
| Peter Youll | 13 | Greg Edwards |
| Ollie Connolly | 12 | Zac Southern |
| Max Tennant | 11 | Owen Westhorp |
| Jobe Roxby | 10 | Matt Baggs |
| Matt Siddle | 9 | Will Tighe |
| Andrew Rollins | 1 | Jack Angus |
| Aidan Jackson-Smith | 2 | Liam Liston |
| Adam Hutchinson | 3 | Fraser Henderson |
| Connor McLurg | 4 | Jonny Wray - Capt |
| Nick Bennions | 5 | James Tyers |
| Charlie Kay | 6 | Aaron Muir |
| Isaac Robinson | 7 | Louis Ward |
| Chris Atkins (capt) | 8 | Ollie Webster |
| Ben Reed | 16 | Matt Ward |
| Hayden Hodgson | 17 | Lewis McLeod |
| Ryan O'Keefe | 18 | Curtis Ross |
| 19 | Jay Anderson | |
| 20 | Aaron Johnston | |
| 21 | ||