The 1XV return to Mayfield Park fresh from an excellent victory away at Darlington last weekend. Confidence is growing within the squad as they bid to make it three wins in a row and continue their push to climb out of the bottom two.

A major positive has been the consistency in the pack, which remains unchanged for the third consecutive fixture. That stability up front has laid the platform in recent weeks and will be key again on Saturday.

There are changes in the backs. Top try scorer Max Filby is unavailable, with the returning Luke McLurg stepping into the midfield. Owen Samuel also comes back into the side and starts on the wing, adding pace and attacking threat out wide.

In the forwards, David Carson-White earns a recall to the 1XV squad after crossing the whitewash for the 2XV in their impressive win over Sunderland last time out. He will provide valuable front-row cover off the bench.

1XV Squad:

1. T Stead, 2. Williamson, 3. Harvey (vc), 4. Jack Riley, 5. Cooper, 6. Lang, 7. Carney, 8. Chester (c), 9. Walker, 10. Clarke (vc), 11. Samuel, 12. Mclurg, 13. L Wilson, 14. T Wray, 15. D Thomas

Reps: 16. Carson-White, 17. Keers, 18. B Kitching

2XV: Stern Test Against League Leaders

The 2XV make the trip to Peterlee & Horden aiming to secure their own third consecutive victory.

Like the 1XV, they come into the fixture on the back of an outstanding performance, having defeated higher-league Sunderland in the County Cup last time out.

However, they are under no illusions about the challenge ahead. Peterlee & Horden currently sit top of the CANDY 2 table and have set the benchmark all season.

Pool travel with momentum but will be without Nathan Taylor, Alex Sharp and Craig Woodward, all of whom played key roles in the cup win.

In response, the Maroons are able to call upon a wealth of 1XV experience, with Liam Pape, Liam McMenemy, Tyler Hall and Dean Ryan strengthening the squad.

17 year old Kenzie Fortune is named among the replacements and is set to make his senior debut for the club.

There is a reshuffle in the pack and backs: Lewy Baldwin switches to number eight in the absence of Sharp, while captain Rory Craig moves from centre to scrum half to steer the side around the park.

It promises to be a searching examination against the league leaders, but the Maroons will head up the A19 believing they can rise to the occasion.

2XV Squad:

1. Watson, 2. Smailes, 3. Mann, 4. Mcmanus, 5. Pape, 6. Mcmenemy, 7. Middlemiss, 8. Baldwin, 9. Craig (c), 10. Lawrence (vc), 11. Lile, 12. Cole, 13. T Hall, 14. Makepeace, 15. Terzza

Reps: 16. Bradley, 17. Bailey, 18. Fortune, 19. Dean Ryan

3XV: Home Return for the Thirds

The 3XV also host Peterlee & Horden at Mayfield Park in what will be their first home fixture since January.

There is a welcome boost in availability, with several players returning after missing the defeat to Sedgefield. Jordan Thornhill, Brad Littlewood, Will Ogden and Michael Swift strengthen the forward pack, while Liam Lester, Dan Hind and Ellis Winship bolster the backs.

Scott Standing is set to make his club debut in the centres.

Unfortunately, captain Andrew Bostwick misses out after breaking his thumb while representing the 1XV in last week’s win at Darlington.

The squad will be determined to put in a performance worthy of their sidelined skipper.

3XV Squad:

1. Littlewood, 2. Whitecross, 3. Ogden, 4. Thornhill, 5. Scott Hind, 6. Swinbourne, 7. Swift, 8. David Ryan, 9. Martin, 10. Lester, 11. D Hind, 12. Mcconnell, 13. S Standing, 14. Winship, 15. Burton

Reps: 16. Kirby, 17. S Ward, 18. Allen, 19. Leavens, 20. Mcpartlin, 21. Carrigher, 22. Rose, 23. Cavuiliti