The side is named for Saturday. Round 03 of National Two North brings Tynedale down from the North East to Park Lane, 2.30pm kick off, and it is our second home game of the season.
Two games, two five point wins. 47-26 against Darlington Mowden Park here at Park Lane, then 32-13 away at old rivals Chester, and the Tigers sit top of the league after two rounds. Early days, and nothing is being taken for granted.
Tynedale arrive in their 150th year. They finished second in this division last season and lost the promotion play off at home to Oundle, and they have started this campaign with a win and a loss. From past encounters we know exactly what that means.
1st XV v Tynedale, Park Lane, 2.30pm
Connor James captains the side again. There are changes across the pack and the backline from the side that finished the job at Chester, with Ed Poole moving into the back row, George Smith at fly half, Sam Shute switching to the wing and Nathan Pope to full back, and Josh Bedlow coming in at inside centre.
1 J. Blanchard, 2 L. Cole, 3 D. Rylance, 4 B. Birtwell, 5 C. James (C), 6 E. Poole, 7 A. Minozzi, 8 J. Ellam, 9 J. Tansey, 10 G. Smith, 11 S. Shute, 12 J. Bedlow, 13 H. Lewis, 14 T. Hesketh, 15 N. Pope.
Replacements: 16 A. Downham, 17 B. Nonleh, 18 H. Coxhill, 19 O. Glasse, 20 M. Winterburn.
Match officials: referee Nikki O’Donnell, assistant referees Tom Doig and Tudor Griffiths.
Park Lane on a Saturday
Gates open early, the bar is on and there is food in the clubhouse. Pay on the gate, or come in on your membership or season ticket.
Get yourself down to Park Lane on Saturday and get behind your Tigers. COYT
