The game will be held at Rovers on March 13th - and you have to say that, as far as West is concerned, the selectors have done a great job mixing experience with up and coming players. Brett has been a tremendous servant to the club, since Mike Brewer lured him from his native New Zealand, and he is now one of the most respected players in the area. Chris Lambert by contrast has only played one full first team gaame and showed tremendous promise before being "clotheslined" by a Darlington winger. His selection is also an honour for the all conquering Under 17's.

Henry Tones is a one-off. A true Hartlepool lad he plays way above his weight but gives total commitment in every game he plays. Like Lambert Jon Boatman is a new boy on the block. He also provides commitmentand flair and has shot to prominence after playing less than a full season in the town. Dash is also having a tremendous season and is another player who never hides.

No doubt there will be some private disappointments among those who have not been chosen, but the selectors have come up with a well balanced and very representative squad in keeping with the nature of the occasion. Stu Bennett would have loved to have played, but the West skipper is having to see a specialist over his recurring neck problem.

Squad:

Paul Bruce (Horden), James Masheder (TDSOB), Gareth Foreman (Rovers), Steve Jones (TDSOB), Simon Rutherford (Rovers), Andrew Woodward (Hartlepool), Simon Cavey (TDSOB), Andrew Foreman (Rovers), Chris Lambert (West ), Peter Howe (BBOB), Ashley Parker (TDSOB), Andrew Turner (Horden), Jonathon Wrigley (Rovers), Darren Thomas (West), Steve Hall (Rovers), Ryan Shires (Athletic), Andrew Temple (Horden), Jonny Boatmen (West), Henry Tones (West), Stewart Palmer (Hartlepool), Michael Thubron (Horden), Jonathon Starrs (BBOB), Mark Power (Rovers), Peter Storey (Seaton Carew), Stuart Langston (Rovers), Gavin Davidson (Horden), Brett Cullinane (West ), Tank Rayner (Seaton Carew), Michael Thompson (Horden), Andrew Palmer (TDSOB).

Teesside Barbarians Backs: Ian Dixon (Mowden Park), Craig Shepherd, Michael Evans (Billingham), Andy Micklewright, Lee Richardson, David Richardson, Peter Wright Neil Baggett (Middlesbrough), Jamie Connolly, Matty Hemmingway (Redcar), Craig Lee, Paul Lee (Darlington), Kevin Oliphant (Mowden Park), Simon Crozier (Stockton), Paul Beattie (Yarm).

Forwards: Chris Horton, Ritchie Horton, Ian Bradford (Middlesbrough), Paul Devenport (Guisborough), Gary Skirving, Mark Skirving, Danny Muirhead, Keith Etherington, Wayne Brown, Alan Brown, capt. (Stockton), Paul Beal (Redcar), Ian Robinson (Mowden Park), Simon Bate (Yarm), Steve Powell (Harrogate), Martin Howe (Darlington).