Northallerton Stallions get their 2009 Co-operative Rugby League Conference season underway this coming weekend with the visit of Winlaton Warriors to Brompton Lodge.

This is the first of a 14-game campaign that will see the Hambleton district’s only rugby league side compete in the competition’s North East division in a change from 2008 where they played in the now re-organised Yorkshire league.

Pre-season has been underway since the start of the year and with a friendly and nines tournament under their belts, the Stallions are raring to begin the campaign proper. Head coach Steve Worsnop says preparations have gone well. “The boys have worked hard over the last few months for what we expect to be another tough season. We have increased the intensity over the last four weeks and are probably about ready to go. However the players are under no illusion that to get any kind of reward this year they will need to transfer what they have learnt in training to the playing field. We must continue to improve week on week if we are to enjoy any success. Talking and practicing are fine but actions and execution are the only way to achieve”.

The bank holiday weekend means that Worsnop will be without a number of key players for the opening hit-up, including loose forward Don Payne and centre Mike Sheeran. This will mean a re-shuffle with captain Lee Worsnop moving from hooker to the pivotal stand-off position, Dave Carter coming in to cover the hooker slot. Newcomers Gareth Smith (second row), Miles Middleton (loose forward), Tony Scurr, Graham Schofield (both wing) and Mark’s Ball & Horsfall are all likely to feature as Northallerton look to make a strong start to the season.

This will be the Warriors first ever game of Rugby League. The team is based in Winlaton in what is predominately a Rugby Union playing area with a number of clubs within easy reach of each other. So the squad consists of players from Gateshead, Blaydon, Ryton, Prudhoe, Winlaton and a couple from Blyth mixed together.
Warriors’ Trevor Murdie quips “We have found a copy of the rules and yet to find anyone to understand them. I suppose the test of our understanding and abilities will be shown at the first Line Out”.

Although new to the game, the Warriors will not prove easy opponents as their preparation has been overseen by former Castleford Tigers and Gateshead Thunder head coach Dave Woods.

Australian Woods won promotion to the Super League with Castleford before steering Thunder to the Co-operative division 2 title last year and a place in the division below Super League. Having parted company with the Gateshead pro club, he has continued working in the area with the game’s new boys.

”We have been grateful for the help and assistance from Dave Woods who stands out to be one of the game’s great coaches and a good bloke in the bargain” Added Murdie. “ Its bonza to see him back coaching with a Gateshead Club again !!!!!!”
Although the Stallions coaching team have little idea of what to expect. This is not seen as a major problem as Worsnop was quick to point out. “I expect Winlaton to have a number of rugby union boys in their line up so they will be match fit, and I know that their preparations have been overseen by a top quality professional coach in Dave Woods so I expect them to come to Brompton Lodge ready to play. That is what we want and to be honest, we are concentrating on what we need to do and how we need to do it rather than worrying about what we may be up against. To get our own game right is priority number one, after that, things will take their due course”.

This afternoon’s encounter should prove interesting as two of the sport’s newest clubs go head-to-head for the first competition points of the new season. With no other games taking place in the division this weekend due to the Super League “Magic” matches the winners will enjoy “top of the league” status – for a week at least.

The action takes place at Northallerton Rugby Club, Brompton Lodge this Saturday 2nd May with a 2.30 kick off.

The club have committed to establishing a strong, friendly and successful addition to the area’s sporting scene and would like to see as many locals down to enjoy the day as possible.

For further details on playing, supporting, helping behind the scenes or sponsoring the Stallions please call Steve on 01609 773222