TOP-HALF SPOT’S THE SUNDERLAND TARGET
ASHBROOKE MEN EYE DOUBLE AGAINST SEDGEFIELD IN PUSH TO REACH THE TOP SEVEN
Rejuvenated Sunderland have the target of a potential climb into the top half of the Durham/Northumberland Division Two table when they return to action on Saturday.
Following a week’s break from league games, the eighth-placed Ashbrooke first XV head to Sedgefield (2.15pm kick-off) looking to repeat their 34-17 home success back in October.
Sunderland are two points behind seventhplaced Ashington and would leapfrog them with a win and a defeat for the Colliers, who welcome third-top Whitby.
Sedgefield, though, will be a tough challenge for the Wearsiders, sitting just three points behind Sunderland.
The Ashbrooke coaching team hope to field a relatively unchanged squad from their last victory over Ashington a fortnight ago, while including players returning from injury and enforced absences.
A club spokesman said: “We are confident of continuing our recent excellent form. There are some real dilemmas in selection, given the performances of key players in what us still a young team.”
Time will tell if Sunderland, with five wins in the last six league games, can seal a double against their hosts.
Joe Marler says that banishing his family from the living room in order to watch England face Wales has sharpened his determination to address the indiscipline which has afflicted his career.
Marler returns when the NatWest 6 Nations resumes against Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday after a six-week ban for dangerous clearing out of a ruck, his second suspension this season.
England boss Eddie Jones has warned Marler over his conduct, viewing the prop as an important squad member while outlining the cost of his absence, especially amid an injury crisis at loosehead.
It is a message that has been accepted knowing that special moments are being snatched away by the short fuse that regularly blows.
“I was trying to watch the Wales game, but I couldn’t actually watch it,” Marler said.
“I got in the car just before kick-off and listened to bits on the radio. The radio in my truck is not that good so it was coming in and out. I got home for the last five minutes.
“England v Wales is my favourite fixture, the game I love playing in and being involved in most. I was gutted not being a part of it.
“Watching the last five minutes, kicking the kids and the wife out of the lounge, I was like ‘You need to leave – I need to watch the telly ’. I had to turn ‘In The Night Garden’ off.
“It sticks with me that I really need to knuckle down now because I am missing out on these things that I really want to be a part of.
“It was fair – I’ve been cited twice in the last six months.
“There was no real argument from me.”