GEEHAN: SUNDERLAND PACK IS OUTSTANDING
LOCAL RUGBY
Sunderland 1st XV have a full squad available for tomorrow’s trip to Redcar (3pm), and are plotting a bonus-point win with the aid of an “outstanding” forward pack bursting with “knowledge and experience”.
Despite a 18-38 National Cup loss to high-flying Yorkshire outfit Northallerton, the Ashbrooke side are buzzing with confidence, welcoming back key players for the Durham and Northumberland League Two clash.
Captain and flanker Joe Arrowsmith returns alongside second row Andy Wordsworth.
Club chairman Paul Geehan said: “We should have a full squad to pick from.
“Redcar have suffered some really bad defeats, but they have had some players come back and have started to put some results together.
“Saying that, we have the players to get the win, particularly our forwards, who have been outstanding this season across set-pieces and are one of the strongest (packs) in the league.
“They have the knowledge and experience of players who have been at the club more than 20 years.”
Among them is playercoach Martin Watt, set to return to league action against Redcar at the age of 40.
Geehan added: “We think we can get the five points and the most encouraging part is that we have a genuinely strong and youthful squad for the future.”
Saturday also sees Sunderland’s 2nd XV play host to Winlaton Vulcans 2nds in the semi-final of the County Cup at Ashbrooke (3pm).
The team have been revitalised this season under former captain and team manager Graeme Brown, who has led his side to the cup semis as well as being in contention to challenge for the league title.
Brown’s pack will be looking to the towering second row of Anth Dodds and Mark Sears to win secure lineout ball in the set piece, with the hugely experienced captain Andy Black at number 8 and youthful exuberance in Joe Welch and Dev Koca.
Michael Heffernan is named at fly-half, scrumhalf is Tom Hogg and Louie Groark makes his debut at fullback.
Sunderland U15s secured a 48-5 win at a resilient Novos, dominating the first half and constantly affecting the scoreboard with tries from Vincent Hessel, Adam Williams, Isaac Mellefont, Josh Jobling, Ethan Marrs and James Docherty.
Conversions came from Chris Rochelle (3) and Hessel.
Meanwhile, five Sunderland players are through to a final selection event for Durham County U15s squad at Ryton RFC on Sunday - Hessel, Jobling, David Matloch, James May and Williams.
The U16s came from behind to beat Bishop Auckland at Hill View. Two tries from Archie Elwell saw the teams turn around 10-10.
A further try from Joe Cowie keep Sunderland in it, but Jacob Feeney was able to go over under the posts two mins from time to allow Cowie to make the conversion for a 22-17 win.
“Our forwards have been outstanding this season.” PAUL GEEHAN