CH1 preview: Gateshead v North Wales (Sun)

Gateshead Thunder coach Kevin Neighbour could name an unchanged squad for Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship One fixture with North Wales Crusaders.

Gateshead are aiming for a Welsh double, having won 36-30 at South Wales Scorpions last week.

Neighbour said: “That result is a massive boost for us. For long periods of the first half we were by far the better team, and we took our chances when they came.”

North Wales are aiming to respond to a rare defeat, having lost 28-10 at Oldham.

Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths said: “We were flat and we got what we deserved.

“The players know we’ve got to get a certain number of points in the next five games, but it’s still in our hands.”

On Gateshead, he added: “They’ve a few new players in their team since we last played them and they were pretty impressive against South Wales. We’ll be giving them plenty of respect.”

Stuart Reardon (ruptured Achilles tendon) is out for the rest of the season.