Match Preview

This weekend we welcome Skipton's 2 sides to Nunroyd Park. From a 1st XV perspective, this is usually an entertaining game both on and off the pitch.

Having put in an indifferent performance away at Sandylands earlier on in the season, we came out second best, going down 30 - 6 against the hosts. Now with 6 changes to that squad with 9 positional changes, we know that having been dragged back in to the relegation battle, we need a good performance to further solidify our position in Yorks 3 as we enter the business end of the season.

We know that Skipton will throw everything at us and we will have to concentrate for the full 80 mins, playing our pitch like we know how to and keeping the ball for large parts of the game.

So to the squad:

In the front row, Martyn Booth (loose head), Nick Jackson (hooker) and Rich Lister (tight head) continue to lead the charge as they have done in the last few games.

In the boiler room, Sy 'Big John' Hill and Luke Exley will hopefully add some ballast, both in the set piece and in the loose.

The back row sees pack leader and 1st XV vice captain, Chris Chapman return to blindside. Mikey 'Little John' Dolan comes back into the pack having played at outside centre last week to play in his preferred position at openside. Jonny 'Middle Jon' Mackey will steer the pack from number 8.

Stu Wilson returns to 1st XV action after injury to start at scrum half (if he gets through the warm up). He is partnered by 1st XV captain Ollie Catherall who starts at fly half.

Nick Holdsworth returns to the side at inside centre having missed last week due to attending one of the 2 Druce stag do's which are held this month. He is partnered by Louis Barrett who continues to improve on his match fitness.

The exciting young guns in Jamie Sykes and Lewis Myers occupy the 2 wings. Harley Stevenson-Cocks continues at fullback having miraculously recovered from injury last week (in which I had to carry him off the pitch).

On the interchange bench we have a blend of experience and youth. Lewis Eastwood and Alan Justham come in to add experience while more products of the Aireborough junior system in Freddie Armstrong, Dan Marchbank and Adam Bishop bring youthful exuberance to proceedings.

Kick off is 3pm, please come in numbers to support the lads. Also, the England vs Italy game will be shown on the big screen in the clubhouse after the game.

See you all there,

Si