Houghton take on Whitby away this Saturday in Durham Northumberland Two.

This week’s fixture ties off the end of the first half of the season in Division Two. It has not yet been a smooth start for Houghton as they merely float above the relegation zone.

Assistant Coach at Houghton Rugby Club, Ryan Pink, said: “Not gaining any points would see us slip into the relegation zone as both teams below us are playing one another.

The Maroons currently sit in a comfortable position above Houghton with eleven points keeping them adrift. However, when the two sides met last, Houghton played their best rugby of the season which was also away.

Pink added: “We were the only side to beat Whitby twice last year. This should give players confidence leading into the game.”

The hosts are coming from a win over Ashington (22-17) last weekend and will too be hyped by the clash, this will leave Houghton challenged by the Maroons confidence.

Each game into Division Two, Houghton have picked up some experience and discipline in their play taking different positives into each game. The leap from Division Three to Two has been an impacting one, especially with having an injury list in double figures at the beginning of the season.

Houghton fell to a heavy defeat in the windy circumstances against Hartlepool last week (37-5) despite their resistance to give in with only 14 men on the pitch for 65 minutes of the game.

Following this, Brett Henderson remains banned but Director of Rugby at Houghton Rugby Club, Chris Simpson, said: “ It is a must win for us and we will have to remain positive focusing on the job in hand making sure we attack.”

By Clarissa Murphy