This coming Saturday, our near neighbours Blaydon RFC, visit the Arena for the first time, travelling the short 38 mile journey down the A1 from their Crow Trees HQ for the season opener.

It seemed inevitable that DMPRFC’s first foray at this level would conjure up a ‘local derby’ at the first throw of the dice.

However, the fixture will give an immediate indication of what is required, as our visitors have been well settled at this level for several seasons, finishing a creditable sixth place last season and more often than not have been in the top half of the table for the duration, finishing third in the 2012/13 season.

Their top points scorer last season was fly half Andrew Baggett, with 189 points and their top try scorer was ex-DMPRFC No.8 Jason Smithson, who ‘crossed the whitewash’ on 12 occasions.

Other ex- DMPRFC players who may be included in their matchday squad are Chris Wearmouth and Sean Brown.

For the record, it is several seasons since DMPRFC last played league rugby against Blaydon RFC, but there have been some Durham Senior Cup clashes in the interim, with the last being during the quarter final of 2011/12 season, where DMPRFC prevailed at Yiewsley Drive (37 – 0).

With Blaydon RFC’s Director of Rugby in ex-Newcastle Falcons prop Micky Ward, Blaydon RFC are renowned for their tough forward pack, but their speedy backs are not to be underestimated and this should be a full blooded encounter.

From a DMPRFC perspective, last season’s promotion celebrations have been replaced with a steely determination for the 1ST XV Squad to firmly establish itself in the 3rd tier of English Rugby.

For the record, the new additions this seaon are (alphabetically):

Jamie BERNARD (Wing) from Hull RFC
Jamie CHALMERS (Lock) from Darlington RFC
Rob CONQUEST (Lock) from Cambridge RFC
Danny DIXON (No.8) from Billingham RFC
Jake ELWOOD (TH Prop) Dual Reg.– Newcastle Falcons RFC
Ben GLEDHILL (Lock, No.6) from Sale FC RFC
Cronin GLEESON (Lock) from Stade Montois (France)
George HEDGLEY (Lock, No.6) from Wharfedale RFC
Sam GOUDEY (Scrum Half) from Middlesbrough RFC
Mark IRELAND (No.10/12) from Otley RFC
Garry LAW (No.10/12) from Rotherham RFC
Charlie MADDISON (Hooker) from Leeds Met. Uni. RFC
Jack McPHILLIPS (Centre) from Middlesbrough RFC
Aaron MYERS (No.6/7/8) from Wharfedale RFC
Nathan MYERS (No.6/7) from Wharfedale RFC
Joe NELLANY (No.15) from Worcester Warriors RFC
Adam NIXON (Scrum Half) from Wolverhampton RFC
Gareth NESBIT (LH Prop) from Westoe RFC
Matty SHIELDS (TH Prop) from Plymouth Albion RFC
Harry SNOWDON (Lock) Dual Reg. – Newcaslte Falcons RFC
Ritchie THIRKELL (Hooker) from Horden RFC
Matt THOMPSON (Hooker) Loan – Newcastle Falcons RFC

The new additions to an already cohesive unit have steadily added a mixture of youth, experience and bulk to proceedings, the latter most characteristic being an accepted pre-requisite of forwards in this league.

With all of the euphoria surrounding the recent announcement that the reigning World Champions the New Zealand All Blacks will be using DMPRFC as their North East base during the RWC in 2015, the focus must be league rugby from now on.