With the first team enjoying a week of rest, the Saxons take the opportunity to get their season up and running against Redcar Mariners. Both sides will be looking to get lads on the pitch, some for the first time this season and for Sedgie it allows us to give some time to those who have put a lot of time on our bench for the firsts.

Last week the Saxons had a tough afternoon when 6 lads, plus 4 from Newton Aycliffe met a strong Middlesbrough side who sportingly lent us some players. The result didn't go our way as we were well beaten.

Redcar also have only one outing so far and fared much better against Middlebrough losing 25 - 35. Hopefully with a fuller squad the Saxons can fare better this weekend.

Ollie Barker, Stu Walton and Graham Brennan complete an experienced front row, Andy Broere gets a much needed start after benching all season for the first team and he lines up with Pedro Gray. The back row gives James Allison and Sam King an outing in their favoured positions, while Michael Reilly captains the side from number 8.

Lee Keillor is at Scrum Half with Nathan Waterhouse pulling the strings at number 10. Max King has another positional change to take the 12 shirt with Jamie Wilson outside him at 13. The back three sees Lewis White and Andy Fife line up with exciting prospect Nathan Murray starting his first game of rugby on the wing.

The bench is full of experience, Jonny Parrish covering forwards and backs, Stephen Clark and another rugby newbie Dan Machell. Covering our back line Paul Soakell, John Pope and Duncan Johnston.

All will play a minimum of 40 mins, Its great to see our Saxons with a full squad, they are so important to what we want to do as a club in providing rugby opportunity for all in the area. Hopefully, Saturday will be the catalyst to get the side back out and availability improves to help them in the TVSL this season.