Sedgie make the journey to Hartlepool Old Boys in the 3rd instalment of DN3, boosted by some key returns but also still missing some key players to injury, Andy Fife and Charlie Johnson miss their last week of concussion return to play protocol (Hopefully!), Nathan Waterhouse, Graham Brennan, Seb Wilkins and Pedro Gray are on holiday and Max King is working!

Hartlepool are always tough opponents and usually take the spoils but we are hopeful we can bounce back from last weeks chastening defeat to Guisborough. They are also home to the highest set of rugby posts in England!, They have had mixed results so far edging out Bishop Auckland in the first game and losing to Darlington last week. We know they are a streetwise and well organised side and generally finish in the top 5 each season.

For our part, we could do with getting going and get something from this one after the first two games yielded no return and has us anchored at the foot of the table. (Its still a long season to go!)

Its a shame we cant quite raise our Saxons side out just yet, unfortunately with 23 lads available we have had to leave a few out. This doesn't sit easy with us because we want all of our lads to have the opportunity to play. Unfortunately, we can only pick 18 for the squad. We really want to see our Saxons return but we need a few more lads to get back down... We are hopeful of fielding 2 sides again soon.

The squad for Saturday sees us welcome back some lads from injury and unavailability after a positive training session, including our team leaders who were all missing last week!

James Allison and Michael Bishop will prop either side of 1st team captain James Watson. Andy Broere is retained in the 2nd row after a solid display last week and he will line up beside his old Acklam team mate Steve Clark. Our back row is pretty exciting with club captain Phil Dawson at six, Vice captain Will Johnson at seven and Mitch Corney at number eight.

David Galloway comes in at scrum half with Gaz Pratt at stand off, Sam King and Jonny Castling are in the centres while our back three has plenty of pace with Ryan Towler and John Pope winging it and Kyle Smith at full back.

Our bench is strong with Paul McCormack and Danny Wolfe covering alongside new signing Tom Ducker who comes straight into the squad for a debut due to an injury to Dan Lawson.

Certainly some tough calls this week, especially as we cant give all of our lads a game but hopefully a sign our numbers are improving and we can get back to close to where we were before Covid ruined everything!!

An appeal from me, lads get yourself back so we can get our 2 sides back out and get everyone a game that wants one.... Also if you have been watching and like what we do... get yourself down and join us, there really is something for everyone!