Sunderland hope to make Ryton clash a league and cup final double header

Sunderland's lengthening season took a further twist today as it emerged they hope to reschedule this Saturday's home match with Ryton into a potential league and cup double header.
Dean Edmundson makes a break as Sunderland (red/yellow) take on Hartlepool last weekend.Dean Edmundson makes a break as Sunderland (red/yellow) take on Hartlepool last weekend.
Dean Edmundson makes a break as Sunderland (red/yellow) take on Hartlepool last weekend.

Sunderland, currently on a hot streak of form, amassing 169 points in a trio of league wins, still need to defeat Sedgefield in the Durham County Cup semi-final.

But if they do negotiate this tricky fixture and reach the cup final against Ryton, they are eyeing up combining league and cup into a winner-takes-all match.

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With the crippling effect of cancelled fixtures biting and Sunderland upping sticks from Ashbrooke (now cleared for cricket) to their second home at Hill View, there is still a backlog of games, including the visit of Whitby on May 5.

So, with fixtures still to negotiate and players entering their ninth month of league rugby, next Wednesday’s cup clash assumes even greater significance.

Club bosses hope to discover whether the rescheduling of Saturday’s home Durham/Northumberland Division Two game will be granted by league officials.

Meanwhile, the club’s veterans, the Statics, will compete in the inaugural Vet Fest at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park tomorrow. Sixteen teams of over-35s will go head to head in the event.