Level 6 rugby comes to Sutherland Park as Durham City arrive with Vos looking for their first win over City for 66 years !

Whilst history maybe against the lads, recent history will show that it’s been over 18 months since Sunderland beat us 10-12 at Sutherland Park. Over 18 months of home wins that should give us the confidence to take on City.

Durham City arrive after a home loss to Morpeth last week and a reasonably settled starting line up with just three changes from that fifteen. Whilst we see four changes to our eighteen lads that beat Ryton last week.

Absences in the pack in the form of Kirton, Matthews, Rodgers and Baldwin sees Owen Hayton get the six shirt and Fin Ruddock get the seven shirt. Then we have league debuts for front rower, Thomas Young and back rower Will Alexander. Both have played for the first team during pre season but will make their competitive debuts in this game.

The back line remains the same with Sam Evans continuing at ten in the absence of Josh Farley. Evans was instrumental in the win over Ryton, scoring 17 points and controlling territory with his kicking game. Outside him will be Ben Jubb – Sutherland Park will welcome back the outside centre who missed the last part of the season to play in New Zealand. He made some telling breaks last week and again partners his good school mate, Brandon Gilbert.

Out wide the gas man will want to be given space – Sam Cleife and Max Cook will roam outside club top try scorer Sam Busby. Cleife and Busby were on the scoresheet last week so Max will be desperate to get amongst the points.

Should be a cracker of a game with two sides that will want to keep ball in hand. We hope our set piece goes well to deny them launches. Will could be the heavier pack which is always a rare occurrence for Vos. Look out for the Gittins boys who were everywhere last week as well as the return to Sutherland Park of Ryan Gibson. The big man has been away for some time whilst exploring DMP and Tynedale. However, we are delighted to welcome him home.

1st team to play Durham City at Sutherland Park 1500 kick off, 1330 meet time : Tom Taylor, Sion Gittins, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Jonny Cotterill, Ryan Gibson, Owen Hayton, Fin Ruddock, Dylan Gittins, Rhys Merlane, Sam Evans, Max Cook, Brandon Gilbert, Ben Jubb, Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, Thomas Young, Will Alexander, Ben Lumm.

2nd XV to play at Blaydon, 1500 kick off, 1300 meet at Vos for lifts : Ethan Carmichael, Ant McQuillin, Will Steward, George Mitchell, Jonny Allton, Alex Henry, Joe Grant, Sam Bird, Freddie Abraham, Matthew Russell, Luke Masters, Gavin Wilson, Harry Tankard, Harry McBride, Rhydian How, Zac Chatterjee, Alex Cokeley, Evan Dare, Thomas Hobden

3rd XV to play Medicals at Sutherland Park 1500 kick off, 1345 meet time : Ian Wood, Stevie Thompson, Harry Brown, Thomas Granville, Will Allan-Dunbar, Louis Oliver, Shay Wilkinson, Rufus Thwaite, Owen Sanderson, Ewan Dryden, Ross Cleminson, Ollie Goode, Harry Gadsden, Max Mallon, James White, James Moore, Michael Scott, Sean Hamill, Craig Logue, Luke Roberts, Andrew Robson, Andrew Maxwell, Alfie Bowman, Joe Hantmann, Ethan Morton, Jay Turton, Adam Longstaff

Adult rugby debuts for our colts – Will Allan-Dunbar and Shay Wilkinson Go well boys -up the Vos!