With the league split in two, the Rockets will play the three other teams who finished at the top of the table in a round-robin format, with the top two contesting August’s Grand Final on Saturday 19th.

Having finished second in the league with only one loss, the Rockets are in a strong position but Head Coach, Dave Townend is mindful of maintain the momentum.

“Training has purposefully been tough for the last two weeks and now is the time to take what we are learning onto the pitch.

We know that Peterlee are a tough side and will be looking to play so we cannot underestimate them.

We have three games to secure a place in the final and we are only looking for three victories, starting on Saturday.”

Townend is able to name a stable team for Saturday’s match, supplemented by a handful of new faces.

The free scoring, Joe Morris and Ross Glasper welcome Jonny Ward to the back three with the versatile jack Tait and recent graduate, Liam Hawthorn taking the centres’ jerseys.

Matty Gordon and Fraser Boldy are familiar faces in the halves, with Daniel Pattison dropping into hooker.

Alex Dodds and Patrick Douglas provide the options at prop once again with jack MacEDonald a new addition, in the second row alongside the experienced Thomas Callighan. Sam Long moves back to accommodate McDonald, into loose forward.

Connor Lye offers threat from the bench with old hand Karl Skelton returning after a lengthy injury.

Kieran McLaughlin continues his first season of open age rugby with the knowledgeable Carl Hill getting his first run out in several months following an ankle problem.

Steven Bincliffe and Danny Gilroy add further depth and experience from the bench, with Jeff Burke returning to the squad and completing the 20-man team.

Player meet time is 12pm at CLV or 1pm at Peterlee. Kick off is 2:30pm. Peterlee Pumas ground is Helford Road Sports Ground, Helford Road, Peterlee, SR8 1ER. Jordan Robinson is the coaching contact on the day.

Squad for Saturday:
1. Joseph Morris
2. Ross Glasper
3. Jack Tait
4. Liam Hawthorn
5. Jonny Ward
6. Matty Gordon
7. Fraser Maxim Boldy
8. Alex Dodds
9. Daniel Pattinson
10. Patrick Douglas
11. Jake Macdonald
12. Thomas Callighan
13. Sam Long
14. Connor Lye
15. Karl Skelton
16. Kieran Mclaughlin
17. Jeff Burke
18. Steven Bintcliffe
19. Danny Gilroy
20. Carl Hill