Last updated at 12:27, Friday, 12 March 2010

THERE’S no such thing as a certainty in modern sport, but if Tynedale don’t return from tomorrow’s away day with maximum points if will be the shock of this or any other season.

For they are off to bottom club Manchester, who 22 games into the season are still in negative equity.

Their points total reads -2, following a penalty imposed for infringing the rules regarding uncontested scrums.

The rest of the horror story is played 22, lost 22, points for 91, points against a staggering 1,925.

Manchester have already conceded a monstrous 300 tries this term, of which 134 were leaked in 10 home games and 166 in 12 away games.

They have crossed the whitewash themselves only 11 times in those 22 games.

However, all credit is due to the Mancunians, who could easily have folded as drubbing followed drubbing, but they are determined to keep going to celebrate their 150th anniversary next season.

When they came to Corbridge in November, Tynedale won 93-0, running in 15 tries, of which five were scored by winger Allan Rogers.

Whilst not taking anything for granted, Tynedale are resting many regular players for the trip, in order to give some of the fringe players some game time.

Missing will be Tynedale’s English Counties trio Jonny Williams, Joe Graham and Jack Harrison, lock Ben Marshall and Jamie and Andrew Murray.

Final selection was as usual being delayed until after training last night, but the squad will include forwards Grant Beasley, Graeme Dunn and Jonny Cousin, and winger Sep Visser.

After tomorrow, Tynedale have two successive home games, entertaining Otley on March 20, and Cinderford on March 27.

First published at 09:44, Friday, 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk