Geehan hails young players as Sunderland return to league action

Table toppers Sunderland host Ashington today (2pm), as they aim to capitalise on a weekend break from league action.

With Seaton Carew crying off last week - handing Sunderland a five-point haul - the Ashbrooke squad take on the Colliers at the start of a tough run-in to their campaign.

Chairman Paul Geehan said the walkover win was no advantage to the squad with promotion hopefuls Guisborough racking up a 100-plus points win at home.

He said, "We want to get back to winning ways, but there are a few players unavailable this weekend, which means we will have to reshuffle the front row. We are waiting on a couple of players, but whoever we put in won't weaken the side any more and there is a massive fight on backs' places, which is really positive."

On Seaton Carew's cry-off, Geehan added, "It was disappointing as the five points we got hasn't really helped us, but that is the nature of the game at the moment, teams are struggling."

Geehan heaped praise on the club's young talent, which continues to see youngsters from the Colts' team blooded in senior rugby.

"It is exciting. The senior players have been really impressed by what's coming through. There are two to three players who are doing particularly well at the moment from that Colts' side."

The second XV travel to Hartlepool BBOB, with the third XV expected to entertain Washington.

Geehan said, "We are taking each game as it comes. We can afford to lose one game but we don't want to."

Next week, the first team travel to high flying Guisborough for a crunch league game, which could prove crucial to Sunderland's promotion hopes from Durham Northumberland Two.

Sunderland under-16s crossed seven times in a 390 victory over Workington, with tries coming from Vincent Hessell (2), Jai Swalwell (2), Josh Jobling, Ethan Marrs and Isaac Mellefont, and two conversions from Hessell.

Great defence from Jack Howell, Tom Howe and Hessell throughton the match.

Sunderland under-11s were impressive in a 17-0 victory away to Ryton.

Ethan Gibson and Kieran Richardson were among the try scorers as well Drew Mitchell and Liam Furness. Player of the match was Alfie Rhodes, who drove the team to victory.