After Morpeth cried off due to being unable to field a side we are incredibly grateful for Billingham to step up and send their 2's across to us. Otherwise we would've had 20 lads without a game this weekend - much appreciated fellas.

With the majority of the first team resting/drinking this weekend it is great to see a competitive side selected as Billingham will be their toughest challenge so far this season.

Great to see Zac Weatherhead back into our squads due to a day off from police duties. He packs down with the returning Ben Rodgers, back in after some recovery time away form the game. Every improving Dave Medjigbodo-Lawson has been in incredible form in the last two games and will hope to continue this level of performance.

The tight five is completed with Ewan Strachan getting a start after benching for the 1's last week. Great to get him some game time as he continues to push for a 1's shirt. Some outstanding cameos off the bench. He will pack down alongside Dylan Mills, the versatile forward has an incredible work ethic and a corner stone of any pack he plays in.

Our back row is full of talented youngsters as Ollie Forster continues his introduction to men's rugby with his third game on the trot. He has been tearing it up for the 2's and hoping for a 1's debut before the end of the season. The talent continues with Simeon Archibald in the 7 shirt - unreal work ethic and punches well above his weight. Josh Hood rounds out the back and has been outstanding in his last two games for the 2's.

The back line is stacked with first team squad members as Rhys Merlane is selected after being available for the 1's last week. He will need a great performance to ensure his selection in next weeks crucial match at Guisborough. He is partnered with last week 1's scrum half Ollie Towe who was excellent in Rhys's absence. An outing at ten will help him in he is development into a first team option in this position - vital when you can only have a squad of 18.

More first team experience in the centres as last week 1's sub Barney Youlden gets a start at centre where he will partner 1's regular Brandon Gilbert. Recent matches have seen Gilbert return to last seasons form but it will be great to see him get some game time at 12.

The wing spots go to some up and coming youngsters in Max Cook and Adam Lambert who have been tearing it up of late. This step up will be just what they need to assess if they are ready to step up to the 1's. The final starting spot goes to first team regular Harry Tankard who is selected as he is unavailable for next weeks 1's match.

Some real talent in the squad but it doesn't stop there when you have finishers such as Charlie Lawlor, Alex Cokeley, Jack Povey. In addition, Joe Brown is making his club debut and Zinzan Fraser will want to impress against his parent club.

Good luck - up the Vos !

Novocastrians RFC

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