Those three home wins  puts West into fourth place behind Morpeth and Novos, and with the satisfaction of knowing  that we have come away with bonus points from two of our trickiest away fixtures – a 45-35 defeat at runaway leaders Percy Park and last week’s narrow 41-36 defeat at Consett.

There’ve been some high scoring games in Regional 2 North this season with both West and Sunderland keeping up with the pack. The Wearsiders arriving having lost 47-55 at home to Novos last week. They  have won two games so far – at Guisborough and at home to Consett.

Fielding three teams in the RFU leagues keeps the senior coaching squad on their toes. This week they are being helped by one or two former players getting their boots out of the garage.

That includes  Aaron Myers who will provide cover on the first team bench,  in  much the same way that Jonny Boatman did at Upper Eden a couple of seasons ago. An occasion which prompted Jonny to declare “the game’s gone soft.” Not something often heard when playing Upper Eden.

At the other end of the experience spectrum we will see Ted Davies, son of Chocky, poised to make his first team debut just one week after his Stags’ debut at full-back. Impressive enough to merit a speedy promotion. Teenage back row Louis Ward has also continued to impress and he will also be on the bench.

Ollie Connolly is carrying a knock so Peter Youll reverts to the centre allowing Isaac Robinson  to return in  the back row. Matt Baggs is away with Joe Cholmondeley returning at scrum half .

The Stags will be looking to build on their spirited show against runaway Counties 2 South leaders Darlington Mowden Park Development side  last week,  which earned them a try bonus point.

Tom Carling has been a major force in the centre in recent games and will partner Kyle Jamieson,  who returns from first team duty. Ollie Webster is also back in the side which travels to Sunderland to take on the Shipwrights. He will partner skipper Jonny Wray in the second row.

The Bucks will travel to Bishop Auckland IIs in Counties 3 bolstered by the experience of Scott Butcher and Stu Waites in the backs with Morgan Hamilton, Paul Dickson and Andy Campbell  looking to add their experience to the pack.