Friday Night Lights – our 2’s travel down the Coast Rd for the their cup match against Percy Park. Should be a cracker as Rob Ogilvie’s men seek to progress into the next round.

The 2’s have had a tough start to the season with just one win from their first seven league games. However, squad availability looks a little bit better in the coming weeks after an attritional start to the season injury wise.

A strong squad has been assembled – a mix of experienced first team lads from last season and some new young players. So get down to Preston Ave to see the boys and cheer them on.

The front row sees a couple of last seasons regulars – Ant McQuillin and Ben Rodgers pillar either side of the scrum. In between them will be Shay Wilkinson, current colt who has already debuted for the first team against Sunderland.

A youthful second row as current colt Will Allan-Dunbar will be partnered by university student George Mitchell. The back row includes Matthew Knox and Will Alexander at six and eight. Then we welcome back first team squad member Fin Ruddock. He returns after 4-6 weeks out with a rib injury.

In the back line Fred Abraham comes in at 9 – the uni league player has impressed for the 2’s. Enough to earn a debut for the first team a few weeks back against Consett. Although, that was at fly half. Matthew Russell shifts from fifteen to fly half in the hope we can control territory.

After a few games in the pack 2’s captain Sam Bird returns to the centres to partner Ben Lumm. A well balanced centre pairing with some hard running, leadership and distribution.

The back three sees a mix of pace and power with Harvey Gadsden on one wing and the powerful Dennis Osagie on the other. Marshalling them will be the experienced Ewan Dryden.

Lots to be excited about off the bench as plenty of new faces and new names to learn. Leo Howard gets his second run out for the 2’s having joined us in October. We will all be excited to see Noah Dann get his first run out for the club. Work commitments at the Red Bulls have delayed his debut. The ex Brunel hooker/back rower will want to make the most of the opportunity to play some rugby since moving to the area.

We dont stop there as Freddie Fox-Thompson gets his second game for the 2’s after a very impressive debut against Westoe in October. He was all out aggression in his last run out and will be itching to get amongst the action.

The backs subs include regular second team scrum half Thomas Hobden and two uni lads in Cameron Grant and Ben Dempsey. We eagerly await Grant’s entry onto the pitch after he impressed at pre season. However, an ankle injury has kept him sidelined until now.

Should be a cracker – 1900 kick off. Hopefully, the last fireworks of November so my dog can get back to normal !

Up the Vos !