2 of the changes come in the front row, with Adam Brocklebank and Jack Payne returning to start alongside Chris Wood. An unchanged second row sees Joe Craggs partner summer signing Jake Brady, whilst Canadian Matt Heaton returns from international duty to join Dave Fisher and Ollie Hodgson in the back row. In the backs, Ruaridh Dawson comes in at scrum half alongside Warren Seals who starts at 10. The only other change sees Adam Radwan start on the wing, joining Shaun McCartney and Grant Connon in the back 3, both of whom scored in last week’s draw at Bishop’s Stortford. Centres Garry Law and Ben Frankland continue at 12 and 13 respectively to round off the starting 15. In the replacements, club stalwart Ralph Appleby provides front row cover, with Talite Vaioleti and Simon Uzokwe adding options from the bench. Callum Mackenzie and Jack Blakeney-Edwards round off a strong matchday squad.

Five of the DMP squad were involved in the Newcastle Falcons ‘A’ squad on Monday night, where they defeated Wasps 62-12. Mowden Park Director of Rugby Danny Brown was pleased to be welcoming back a number of the club’s key players: “Adam Brocklebank and Jack Payne come in to the front row, and we’re happy to have Matt Heaton back from international duty to start at 7. We’re grateful to have Ruaridh Dawson involved at scrum half, although Jack Blakeney-Edwards filled in well last weekend. We also welcome back Adam Radwan who has performed brilliantly for the Falcons in the last few weeks. A number of the lads are unlucky to miss out, but they’ll all be needed over a tough run in to Christmas.”

Tomorrow’s game at the Northern Echo Arena will see Mowden host 3rd placed Ampthill in a massive game at the top of the National One Table. Brown was keen to bounce back from last week’s draw: “We were slightly disappointed to come away with a draw last week, throwing away what felt like a good lead. The boys came away pretty frustrated with the result but 3 points on the road against a strong Bishop’s Stortford side isn’t the worst outcome, especially is the last kick of the game had gone over. We look forward to 2nd v 3rd tomorrow, and we’re expecting a massive challenge from a very physical Ampthill side. They usually have a big pack and play pretty direct which will test us defensively. We’ll need to be at our best tomorrow.”

Ampthill sit just 2 points behind DMP in the table, and Mowden will face table topping Coventry in their next home game on Saturday 16th December. Looking ahead to their remaining fixtures before Christmas, Brown said: “Tomorrow’s game kicks off a tough December. It’s important for us to go into the Christmas break in a good position ready for the second half of the season.”

Mowden Park Squad to face Ampthill (2pm Kick Off)

15 Grant CONNON
14 Adam RADWAN
13 Ben FRANKLAND
12 Garry LAW
11 Shaun McCARTNEY
10 Warren SEALS
9 Ruaridh DAWSON
1 Adam BROCKLEBANK
2 Chris WOOD
3 Jack PAYNE
4 Joe CRAGGS
5 Jake BRADY
6 Dave FISHER
7 Matt HEATON
8 Ollie HODGSON

16 Ralph APPLEBY
17 Talite VAIOLETI
18 Simon UZOKWE
19 Callum MACKENZIE
20 Jack BLAKENEY-EDWARDS

Match tickets are available on the day from both the CrossBar and the South West Turnstiles. Tickets for the double header will be priced at just £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and as always, kids go FREE. Fans only attending the second game can see the Sharks in action for £2, with kids once again going free.