Match Preview

Tomorrow we host our old friends from Corbridge who make the long journey on the back of two straight defeats and a 13th place in the league table but looking to be a danger, given their scoring record.

They have notched up 9 tries but only managed 6 points through the boot. Their first match against the favoured Hinckley side saw them score two tries through rolling mauls and drag a 40-17 deficit back to 45-31. Four unconverted tries against recently relegated Hull Ionians also suggest they like to play open rugby with centre and full back featuring well on the score sheets in both games.

Our 'local' contact (thanks Dan R) as well as TRP, allude to the side rebuilding after several key players have departed and a new coach being appointed to steer them along. Yet to appear on the team sheet is one Robbie Forbes who played a few games for us, last season!

Recent encounters suggest that 'Dale will also prove to be a handful, given that they have won 3 out of our last five fixtures. They have out scored us by 211 points to 142 including two back to back games where they scored 52 points!

With talisman Nigel Mukarati absent former Tynedale man Nick Cairns moves to 8 giving Niall Gibbons his first start at "Openside". George Morgan also gets his opportunity and will partner cousin Hal Riley in the centre whilst Luke Veebel moves to the wing. Dan Rundle will start on the bench and Rob Connelly is an excellent replacement covering a number of positions in both forwards and backs.

This should prove to be an entertaining and high scoring fixture so we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible here at Stourton Park.