Winlaton Vulcans RFC

Winlaton Vulcans begin the New Year by welcoming Houghton RFC to Axwell View for the resumption of the league season.

The visitors have not had the best of seasons and languish in the relegation places after only two wins all season but one of those was in a close game against Winlaton. The club who were vying for promotion only a couple of seasons ago are going through a transitional period with a young side but are capable of causing an upset if not treated with respect on match days.

The Vulcans have practically a full squad to pick from and expect to get back to winning ways after losing the last fixture of 2007 in the re-arranged game at Guisborough which was played with only a very much weakened side available.
That game saw an injury to Fly Half and leading points scorer Kevin Allison, Kevin was having probably his best season in club colours but when trying to tackle a Guisborough player he suffered a double fracture of his jaw and is out for the season. The club wishes him a speedy recovery.

How much he will be missed remains to be seen but it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up and claim the spot, Chris Wilcox the veteran 2nd XV fly half has been selected for this fixture and after some recent fine performances for the 1st XV he should be full of confidence.

In the pack there is little in the way of change but the club can welcome back Lock Steve Harrison who has been unavailable all season but made a try scoring return for the 2nd XV against Gateshead last week, his direct running and size should give the team extra options in attack.

Behind the scrum player/coach Graeme Clarkson returns after the holidays and his tactical reading of the game has been the main reason for clubs recent form with 6 wins from 8.

The back line which is the most exciting the club has had in years shows one change at Fly half but remains at full strength otherwise and will be looking to find the space which will be created by the strong pack selected.

Squad;

Yasser Albassam, Ian Fleming, Luke Mitchell, Tariq Albassam, Ray Spoors, Chris Wilcox, Nick Stevenson, Graeme Clarkson, Steve Macleod, Mark Bly, Gary Allison, Andy Moore, Scott Urwin ©, Mick Bowles, Kev Scott, Scott Scullion, Barry Morns, Andy Robinson, Steve Harrison.