Sutherland Park hosts two games this week as Consett arrive and our 3’s host Westoe 2’s. In the meantime, our 2’s travel to South Shields to play Westoe 1’s.

On Saturday the club will recognise the passing of Alistair “Bear’ Blythman. Bear was born in Newscastle, educate at Merchiston Castle and Glasgow Uni before returning to work back home. Playing on the wing but in true Vos style also dabbling as a prop. However, it was as a tourist he made his claim to fame with incredibly story telling ability. Bear gave so much to the club on and off the field and was repayed, meeting’s wife Gill at a Novos Ball in 1975. Our thoughts are with Gill and the rest of the Blythman family.

We’d also like to recognise Westoe stalwart, Ray Bays who has also passed away. Every day we age the ones who went before us seem to age a week. I was lucky enough to play in a great Westoe side from 1998 and so many of the young lads had been coached by Ray at some stage.

Two pillars of our rugby community gone but I am sure both clubs will mark their passing.

A lot of changes after last weeks attritional game at Upper Eden. Nine changes to the group as we see debuts for Odi Okoli (prop) Fred Abraham (flyhalf) and Harry McBride (centre) In addition, returning to the first team group are experienced first teamers in Rhys Merlane, Max Cook, Sam Bird, Ben Rodgers, Jez Hunt and Adam Lambert.

Consett, were heavily packed to take the title before a game was played after their player pool was elevated with a few big name signings on and off the pitch. However, they arrive two points a drift from us after an indifferent start to the season. However, a 45-45 draw last week against Morpeth would imply they are almost back on track.

We have just looked at ourselves this week – looking to improve our decision making in defence to limit penalties and narrow up a bit in attack to keep the ball for longer.

Should be a cracker of a day at Sutherland Park with the ones and three’s both kicking off at 1500.

1st XV to play Consett at home, 1500 kick off, meet 1330

Odi Okoli (league debut) Sion Gittins, David Medjigbodo-Lawson, Jonny Cotterill, Owen Hayton, Sam Bird, Dylan Gittins, Rob Baldwin, Rhys Merlane, Freddie Abraham (first team and league debut) Max Cook, Ben Jubb, Harry McBride (first team and league debut) Sam Cleife, Sam Busby, Ben Rodgers, Jez Hunt, Adam Lambert

2nd XV to play Westoe 1’s away at 1500, meet at Vos 1315 for lifts.

Ethan Carmichael, Rhys Gibbons, Ali Gilgil (senior debut) Oli Taylor, Alex Henry, Freddie Fox-Thompson (2’s debut) Evan Dare, Will Alexander, Thomas Hobden, Ben Lumm, Dennis Osagie, Stewart Wilson, Luke Masters, Max Mallon, Ross Cleminson, Matthew Knox, Eddie Mason, Andrew Maxwell, James White

3rd XV to play Westoe 2’s at home, 1500 kick off, meet 1345

Ian Wood, Rich Zabrocki, Stevie Thompson, William Allan-Dunbar, James Snoad-Speck, Andrew Robson, Adam Longstaff, Shay Wilkinson, Justin Taylor, Patrick Magill, Ethan Morton, Ollie Goode, Josh Watts, Thomas Aldridge, Ben Parkes, Leo Howard (club debut) Sean Hamill, Jonny Bullfin, Dylan Barratt (club debut) Tom Crick (club debut) Craig Logue, Andy Finn, Christian Selkirk, Joe Hantmann