A-Team v Sedgley Park Preview

A-TEAM IN ACTION
By Stefan
December 10 2005

EARTH Titans A-team travel to Sedgley Park for an NCA North Merit Table game at Park Lane this evening (Friday, kick-off 7.30 pm).

The teams met earlier in the season and in a Friday night thriller, the Titans snatched a last-minute 30-27 victory at Clifton Lane. The A-team are looking to strengthen their position at the top of the Merit Table whilst Sedgley Park currently sit mid-table having played eight, won four and lost four. 

New boy Tom Outram gets his first start in his favoured position at flyhalf. Anthony Carter and Michael Kirkwood come into the side and centre and scrumhalf respectively and in the front row, Jamie Kilbane moves to hooker and Attie Pienaar comes in at tighthead.

Looking ahead to tonight's game, A-team coach Craig West said,  "I’m very happy with the squad we’ve assembled this week for what will be a difficult game. I’m playing Tom Outram at flyhalf as I see him as a fine prospect in that position."

"It’s nice to have some of the experienced lads with us this week as it can only help the youngsters to develop their game. We want to try and maintain the good run of results that we’ve had so far in this league. We are very happy with the progress that has been made so far and we want to keep that going."

• News: The U21s fixture against North Wales next week has been cancelled. The U21s next fixture is against Yorkshire 20s on Sunday 8th January at Clifton Lane.

Earth Titans:
15 Gareth Brear, 14 Nd Monye, 13 Anthony Carter, 12 Duncan Richardson, 11 Gareth Morley, 10 Tom Outram, 9 Michael Kirkwood, 1 Sam Walsh, 2 Jamie Kilbane, 3 Attie Pienaar, 4 Nathan Pike, 5 Rob Walton, 6 Tim Maslanyk, 7 Richard Sawyer, 8 Joe Earp.

Replacements:
Charlie Spon-Smith, Alex Drage, Dave Bolton, Jonny Larby, Nick Barrett, others to be announced.

Kick-off:
7.30 pm Park Lane, Sedgley Park.

Other NCA games this week-end:   
Nottingham v Otley
Bradford & Bingley v Halifax

Sedgley Park's record in this season's NCA competition:
Sedgley Park 34-16 Harrogate
Nottingham 30-10 Sedgley Park
Cleckheaton 5-33 Sedgley Park 
Wharfedale 21-18 Sedgley Park
Earth Titans 30-27 Sedgley Park
Doncaster 51-22 Sedgley Park
Sedgley Park 33-29 Halifax
Sedgley Park 20-16 Otley