Today the 1xv travel to Gateshead Rfc with the following team:

1-18 inc

Spedding
Moore
Wilson
Pearson
Brown
Marshall
Orrick
Kemsley
Stoddart
Forster
Grant
Lewis
Stewart
Lee
Owens
Sams
Watkins
Hasnip

The lads have been really improving since our “darkest day” at Barnard Castle, losing narrowly to unbeaten Darlington and DN1 Ponteland in the cup. Fine margins cost us in both games and this week the coaches have been working on those areas that cost us.

Gateshead has rarely been a happy hunting ground away but at home we’ve given them some great games, winning last season.

Today we welcome Owen Watkins to the 1xv a Welsh flanker and fellow Celt Ross Stewart plays at 13 following his stand in role at 15 last week.

Hayden Grant moves onto the wing and Jay Moore starts in the front row with human canon ball Matty Orrick onto the flanks.

Gateshead have a strong team out and have added a South Pacific battering ram 12.

Carl Owens brother captains Gateshead today in the second row.