Sedgies first XV return to fully competitive rugby action with a reasonably short trip to Barnard Castle, a side relegated from DN1, due to the missing season the challenge is a complete unknown with no form information that would be relevant.

Both sides will be keen to make a good start with teams from DN1 generally proving to be in the mix to bounce straight back up, it will be interesting to see how Sedgie fair as an early assessment of how our season will go. Both sides a fairly similar in size with 2 teams and will likely also be hit by harvesting issues for their farm lads so its likely both sides will be missing a few.

Our Pre-season only yielded one fixture (Though we did manage to get some summer fixtures in) against Stockton where we performed quite well and played some good stuff at times. With a host of new signings bolstering our numbers off set with losing a few over the 'missing season'. We are hopeful that our numbers will return as things settle but there is no doubt we have seen a reduction in our playing squad that once saw us putting out 3 sides and a vets team.

Our aim this season is simply to provide rugby in the area and we will try and win as many games as we can, other clubs will be in a similar position and its important we all show a bit of patience and understanding with each other as we try and regrow our sport out of the pandemic.

We should give honourable mention in dispatches to a front row talisman who has decided to finally hang up his boots, Richie Wood after a year out and a progressing knee injury has decided that now is the time to call it a day and while we will certainly miss his scrummaging on the field its great he is going to help us out with the Saxons alongside Chris Lowe who has also had to call time due to injury.

Also missing from selection is club skipper Phil Dawson with his pending marriage on Friday it was always going to be tough negotiation to get him released to play!

Having said that, its a very exciting side we are able to put together with a few to come back in over the next few weeks and competition for places has probably never been better on paper.

Our front row welcomes back Graham Brennan to the fold alongside 1st XV skipper James Watson and club stalwart Dan Lawson. Our second row sees hardworking Pedro Gray pack down alongside Saxons captain Michael Reilly, While our pack is complete with a very exciting back row of New boy Mitchell Corney (Debut) at Blindside and the Johnson brothers Charlie and Will at openside and Number 8 respectively.

Nathan Waterhouse reverts to the number 9 jersey with Gareth Pratt stepping in at ten (Our swiss army back!) In the centres John Pope lines up at inside centre with another debutant Jonny Castling outside him. Out wide Ryan Towler and Danny Wolfe wing it with Andy Fife solid and dependable at full back.

The finishers sees Seb Wilkins take time out from the gym (Where he has pretty much been during lockdown!) alongside Michael Bishop and another debutant in Lee Keillor.

Also on Standby to come in if there are any drop outs Andy Broere, Nick Stringer and the ever reliable Doug Wardle.

Its exciting to think there are others to come in to the equation for future selection with the likes of Adam Grieve, Lawrence Oliver, Owen Robinson, Davey Galloway, Duncan Johnstone, Olly Lines, Jack Sellars, Andy Shepherd, Kyle Sutcliffe, Paul Wilkinson, Jamie Wilson, Gareth Wright, Josh Hodgson, Ollie Barker, James Allison, Stephen Clark and Jamie Wilson all unavailable alongside the club captain for various issues. We will certainly welcome them back when they become available to provide further competition.

It will be great to see everyone back on the field playing for league points again, the discussions, the arguments over contentious decisions (There might be a few with these new laws coming in!) , The after match beers. We have missed it and now its back so lets appreciate it for what it is and hopefully we will see a competitive game with the ball chucked about entertaining the crowd with plenty of tries.

See you all Saturday

Addy