Sunderland RFC gun for Vulcans

Sunderland are targeting a vital league double in Saturday’s visit to basement club Winlaton Vulcans.

Despite playing in one of only two Durham/Northumberland Division Two games to beat the weather last weekend, Sunderland failed to capitalise on the fixture, slumping to a 43-20 home loss to North Shields.

The young Ashbrooke side were outmuscled by their streetwise visitors and hope to tighten up their defensive system before facing an abrasive Winlaton at Axwell Park.

Ninth-placed Sunderland have enjoyed a spell of clear weather training, while last weekend welcoming back influential half-backs Marc Edmondson and Brad Fish.

With a lengthy backlog of games looming, Sunderland are looking to get back to winning ways at the bottom club.

Chairman Paul Geehan said: “The lads are keen to get out playing after such as extended period of cancellations and on the back of a disappointing result.

“While we recognise the weather has been exceptional, this season has really underlined the need for a RFU-approved all-weather pitch, not just for us, but to support our ambition of growing rugby in Sunderland.”

Seven Sunderland U14 players have been selected for the Durham County/ Newcastle Falcons DPP Programme. Vincent Hessel, Zak Kennedy, James Marshall, David Matloch, Russell Chapman-Smith, Josh Jobling and Adam Williams aim to progress through the County’s North squad.

Sunderland U15s player Jacob Feeney has been named in Durham County’s ‘Bishops’ squad to face Northumberland at Alnwick on Sunday.