The last time a full league season was completed was almost 3 years ago now, The season where we ran 3 teams, a vets and the Saxons almost won their league. Since then we have had a season called early, a full season missed, some initial adapted laws games and then this season as a return to the game... Not going to lie, its been hard. Many players have drifted away, found other activities, other clubs or moved away and at a club with a small catchment area, lots of local more established clubs in the area our small playing base has been well and truly tested to its limits at times. BUT! here we are, having fulfilled every fixture at 1st XV level albeit with only 4 wins out of 25 games so far, There have been good and bad performances along the way. But for me, the fact we have completed each fixture is a triumph in the current rugby climate.

The reverse fixture at Barney was the first game of the season, and we lost 15 - 5. A patched up Sedgie were edged out narrowly in a game where we finished up with only 13 players due to injuries. Both sides have had similar results since then with Barney also sitting on 4 wins but crucially on 36 points so just out of our reach. However, we will be looking to exact some revenge by picking up the win, besides we can still catch Whitby on 34 points!

The Saxons after a few weeks of kicking their heels due to lack of numbers get the show back on the road with a visit to Middlesbrough 'A' - Its been a really hard season for the saxons with availability throughout the club over the season meaning we haven't been able to provide them with anywhere near the amount of rugby we had hoped.. Hopefully next season we will be back fielding a regular Saxons every week. Im personally delighted to see them getting out on the final weekend and getting some rugby in.

Team News

The 1sts welcome a host of lads back into the squad, in the front row Mitch Corney will be looking to continue his impressive form alongside Skipper James Watson and Tom Ducker, The second row sees big carrier, Dan Lawson come back in alongside Pedro Gray whilst our flanks are covered by the Johnson Brothers Will and Charlie with Massimo Impagliazzo at number 8.

Nathan Waterhouse and Gareth Pratt will be looking to get our back line moving from half back, Big Phil Dawson and Lawrence Oliver should be a handful in the centres while John Pope and Ryan Towler are out wide, both capable of causing problems coming off their wing into space. At Full back, tough tackling Andy Fife gets the nod.

The bench is very strong with James Allison and Terry Cook returning while we await news on Seb Wilkins recovery before confirming the squad.

The Saxons are a mix of youthful verve and old wily experience to visit Middlesbrough

Michael Bishop, Lee Keillor and Stu Walton are in the front row, Nick Stringer and Andy Broere in the 2nd row while the back row is Ian Storey, Michael Reilly and Paul Wilkinson.

In the backs, Paul Soakell is at number 9, Graham Brennan is at number 10! (If not called up to 1sts for Seb) Stephen Portlock and Chris Parker are in the centres, out wide ever improving Tom Cramp and Alex Skuse with Lewis White at full back..

THE BENCH! All will get 40 mins at least

Jamie Wilson, Kyle Smith, Chris Frater and Debut boy Shane Bowmer

Would be great to get 2 wins under the belt to finish the season!