Another week, another merry go around chase, we have 79 players, 46 of them unavailable for one reason or another, 3 still not sure either way and another 7 whose phones must be broke... This is modern rugby. We have to respect that their are other things that take priority for the modern age man between the age of 18 to 50! Its just not like when I played when rugby season was sacred, but times move on and rugby needs to move with the times.

Still after last weeks morale boosting win over Winlaton we are off on our travels to their local rivals at Ryton whilst our Saxons are desperately trying to raise numbers to travel to Middlesbrough. I know lots of other clubs are facing this at the moment, indeed Ryton reported similar issues last week when they were beaten by Darlington.

4 games in and its looking like its going to be a tight league with 8 clubs only winning once so far, both Sedgie and Ryton find themselves in that group! Last time the sides met in December 2019, Ryton edged out a close game 10 - 19 at the Wok. Its also going to be our first visit to Ryton since they have had lots of work done on their clubhouse, which now looks magnificent and includes a lovely terraced drinking area which provides a lovely view of the pitch, no doubt our supporters will enjoy that!

Sedgie, as I say have a few unavailable but are hoping to name a strong squad, definitely missing out through an ankle injury is Mitch Corney who has been on fire in the opening games which is a shame, Hopefully with a rest week next week he will be back for 16th October, others missing from last week are Sam King, Owen Robinson, James Allison, Stephen Clark, David Galloway and Jonny Parrish.

Team news

Tom Ducker returns to make his first start along side, James Watson and Dan Lawson in the front row, Pedro Gray (Winner of this weeks Joker poker and £360 better off) packs down with Paul McCormack in the 2nd row, The back row has a double helping of Johnson with Will at number 8 and Charlie at openside, Seb Wilkins after impressing at hooker last week get a shot in his favoured back row position.

Nathan Waterhouse returns from holiday to take up number 9 duties, While last weeks MOM is at ten in Gaz Pratt. Very solid centre pairing in Phil Dawson and John Pope, Ryan Towler and Max King on the wings and Andy Fife at full Back

Michael Bishop is joined on the bench by AN Other x2, we are hoping to pick up some more before Sarurday and in order to help out the Saxons chances of getting a side out.

Saxons team news will follow shortly!