Percy Park are at Rovers also needing two points, and it is only fair that both Hartlepool sides go for victory, even if their own positions are safe.

If the last home game had been against another mid-table side, the coaches would have been likely to have given a chance to the up and coming players who took the Stags to the Tees Valley championship.

So, the back line remains the same as the one which should have started at Driffield. This may mean more forking out for those of us who are "Points West" members. Malcom Wallis's excellent initiative saw us get off lightly last season, with 10p for ever point scored we have been caned this season, but it has been a pleasure!

Brett returns after his enforced rest in place of young Jon Norris who had an excellent full debut at Driffield. The Kiwi packs down alongside Anth Carr and Carlo Robinson. The club skipper was mortified by the out of character punch on the Stockton skipper which saw him deservedly sent off after just five minutes. It was a rush of blood, after spotting Jonny Boatman being kicked on the ground, but Brett is the first to admit he was out of order and had no argument wih his punishment.

Chocky will be missing, because of his broken thumb, but Phil Henderson was a more than able deputy at Driffield and keeps his place alongside Paul Rudd. Chocky was the man who won the game in the dying seconds at Alnwick seizing on a dodgy forward pass from Jonny Boatman in the dying seconds and shrugging off four defenders in a 60 metre sprint for the line.

Tim Sawyer continues at No 8 in place of the injured Boatman J., after a starring role at Driffield, while Henry Tones and Boatman D. also continue as flankers.

It promises to be a tense affair. Alnwick must get two points if they are to have a hope of staying out of the bottom three.

The referee is Richard Whelan from the Yorkshire Society who officiated at Sheffield last week when Rovers went down to the home side on a heavy and very wet pitch.

West: Martin Todd, Danny Weegram, Greg Edwards, Peter Hodgson, Chris Lambert, Paul Moss, Davy Tighe [capt], Anth Carr, Brett Cullinane, Carlo Robinson, Paul Rudd, Phil Henderson, Dan Boatman, Henry Tones, Tim Sawyer. Reps from: Darren Thomas, Carl Miller, Dave Garside, Jon Norris.

Alnwick

Reps: 16 Doug Gray 17 Ali Wilson 18 Dallas Allen