All Change for Horden

By Dave Picken - February 13 2004
All Change for Horden
Hodgy
Tim Sawyer will be back in the side to take on Horden - but he'll be at hooker as Steve Black comes off the wing to join Stu Bennett and Henry Tones in the back row. There are a number of changes throughout the side as we look for the two points which should make us safe.

Darren Thomas has deservedly kept the No 9 shirt with Davy Tighe moving outside him. Mark Thompson is now fully fit, and looks to kickstart his season partnering Allan Milne in the centre, while Peter Hodgson moves to full back. That releases the speedy Martin Todd to take Blackie's wing berth.

In the forwards Brett and Carlo will partner Tim, while both Anth Carr and Carl Miller are given a bit of a breather after their first tremendous season in the first team. Carl will be on the bench and Anth will get a run out with the Stags who are short of a front row.

It means that Chocky reverts back to second row to partner a rejuvenated Garse.

For once it is a side full of experience. So far this season a side packed with teenagers has done far better than expected, but we haven't performed as well in the pressure situation of local derbies.

And Horden will be coming desperate for two points. They are just above the relegation zone and scrapping it out with three other sides who are all on 12 points.

Its a side short of four or five players from the side which grafted its way to beat us way back at the beginning of the season. It will also be without Adam Falkner, who did so well when he played for us, happily turning out in whatever position Stabs asked him. He has been playing scrum half for Horden, and taking the kicks, but has now returned to College.

Horden also have a couple of doubts with David Grant [centre] and Paul James [8] not certain to start.

Dave Sawyer, Tim's uncle of course, will be the ref. The game will be sponsored by The Usual Suspects - an appropriate name for John Stabler and his mates who are all chipping in.

West: Peter Hodgson, Martin Todd, Allan Milne, Mark Thompson, Andrew Hare, Davy Tighe, Darren Thomas, Brett Cullinane, Tim Sawyer, Carl Robinson, Andrew Davies, Paul Rudd, Henry Tones, Steve Black, Stu Bennett [capt]. Reps: Phil Wallis, Carl Miller, Michael Geritz.

Horden: Paul Bruce, Brian Foreman, Paul Scott, David Grand, Andrew Evans, Ian Dobson, Andrew Raine, Michael Thompson, Gavin Davidson, Graeme Holloway, Craig Tait, Paul Armstrong, Dave Greenlaw, Andrew Temple [capt], Paul James. Reps: Michael Harland, Glen Bowman, Craig Gilmour.