Forgive me if I'm wrong for saying this but, whilst promotion and a league title might be out of our reach, there is still so much to play for as we find ourselves with an opportunity to bag the greatest league table finish that the men’s side of the club has ever seen in recent memory, doing ourselves one better than our 3rd place finish last season.

It’s a long trip down to our opponents for a 15:00 kick off, but after a great week of preparation for the squad a bit of extra travel shouldn’t do us much harm. Whilst Acklam sit in the bottom 4 of the league they boast an impressive home record, only losing 4 this season. We have, however, had recent successes there in the past, and with so much still to play for the lads will be raring to go after a long week off.

Big Dave Lawson retains his starting shirt in the front row and is accompanied by James Moore in the hooker channel after the absence of Ben Rodgers. Completing the trio is Ant McQuillin who will be excited to prove himself after making appearances from the bench in recent weeks.

We’ve got a great mix of size and skill in the second row this week, a big carrying threat for the squad in Jonny Allton is joined by the skillful troublemaker Jeremy Hunt. Behind them, as always, sits captain George Bambrick in the 6 shirt, and returning after some weeks we welcome back Darren Kelly at 7 after missing the meds game a couple of weeks ago. Finally, desperate to try and get a few more scores on the board before counting closes is Rob Baldwin, sitting on a staggering 18 tries he sits only 1 score behind Horden’s Christopher Wood.

In the backs Josh Farley takes some extra time away from playing after sustaining an injury 2 weeks ago, his absence however gives Matthew Russell another chance to shine in a 1st XV shirt. Rhys Merlane remains in at scrum half as the link up man after a temporary stint out on the wing last time out.

The centers see some movement as Ben Jubb shuffles inside from 13 to 12, and Sam Busby takes the 13-shirt moving in from his regular position at fullback.

So, in turn taking his spot is the speedster Adam Lambert who can be deadly if you give him too much time with the ball in hand. On either side of him is Sam Cleife and Max Cook, two more deadly finishers out wide.

If you don't fancy the journey down to help cheer on the 1st XV to a record season finish, then alternatively there is a slightly shorter journey over to Blyth where the 3rd XV kick off at 15:00!

It should be an epic day of rugby for all those involved as we eye up Medicals in a weeks' time to exact our revenge...

Up The Vos!