Injury Problems Delay Selection

By Dave Picken - February 20 2004
Injury Problems Delay Selection
Out
The team which takes to the pitch at South Shields won't be decided until the last minute. Steve Black and Mark Thompson are definitely out and there are again doubts over Brett Cullinane, Tim Sawyer and Stu Bennett.

Thommo has been suffering with a back problem following his first 80 minutes for some time, while Steve Black will be lucky to play again this season after damaging knee ligaments.

The Horden game also took its toll on Tim Sawyer's back on his return to the front row, and Brett picked up a calf muscle injury.

Stu Bennett needed stitches to both eyes after the lively encounter.

The good news is that we do have cover in the shape of Carl Miller and Anth Carr who have both had tremendous first seasons. Phil Wallis may also come back at fly half, with Hodgy returning to the centre, Dash on the wing and Toddy back in the 15 shirt.

Our opposition are on a roll after beating Morpeth last week and are fancying their chances of sneaking the play-off place. Coach Greg Dougall was winding Stu Bennett up at Brinkburn last Sunday claiming his team would be faster all round the park than West!

Greg will be wanting revenge over his old side after our excellent win against Westoe in a game marred by a nasty injury to Hodgy. He'd scored a try when he received a boot in the face which severely broke his nose. He went off to hospital and we went on to win.

Hodgy is on excellent form at the moment, as are the rest of the backs, and if we can get them some decent ball it should be an interesting game. The feature of Westoe's win last week was apparently their defence and that is also one of our strong points - so it may not be as high scoring as some people expect.