Reigning champions Houghton welcome Hartlepool BBOB this Saturday for the first round of the County cup plate.
The Diary lane side see's a mix of experience and youth as eighty five percent of last season winning side are accompanied by five of last season under 17s finalist.

Matt Marchant will again Captain the side from the frontrow, which also see's the welcome return of Evaldas Petraitis and they will pack down alongside Ryan Main. Big second rower Chris Watson will partner colt Adam Eadington who was outstanding in the recent Houghton festival. The backrow trio has a good balance with the hard grafting Craig Hicks, young Kieran Smith and 'Turnover' Newton Turton packing down at eight.

In a new look formation, Tom Birtley will start at scrum half partnering flyhalf Alex Tuckwell, whom he has helped to train over the past few seasons. Skilful centre Jack Sneezham will partner new Welsh signing Dafydd Roberts who has looked powerful in training. The remaining back three of Ben King, Ryan Graham and Graeme Bennett have all looked very sharp and will look to get some early tries.

The impact bench again see's a good mixture of experience and youth. Big Prop Allan Scott is joined by athletic secondrow Daly Green, who will be keen to impress. The experienced Gary Shepherd will also feature at scrum half. Whilst the electrifying pace of young flyer Mbongeni Moyo will be released in the second half. The final slot will be taking up by versatile player coach Ryan Pink.

Kick off 3pm