On a positive note, we welcome back an old face - Nathan Newbound who lined-up for Percy Park.
Newbound, who is born and bred in Wakefield packed his bags a few years back to attend Northumbria University.

When did you play for Sandal and for how many years? I first played for Sandal in the U13’s whilst taking a break from rugby league, I really enjoyed my rugby with Sandal and earned the player of the year. I then returned after leaving Wakefield Trinity academy and played a mixture of colts and senior men’s rugby for two years, but I’ve been in and around the club in small capacities for a further few years.
Who was the best player you played alongside during your time at Sandal? Greg Wood was a on field general, helping guide both young and more senior players to some exciting victories.
Who was the longest in the shower during your time at Sandal? It would have had to be Michael Knowles, he made sure everyone’s elbows and knees were clean!
Best memory in a Sandal shirt? Winning the Yorkshire Cup was an amazing feeling. It was an all-out war in muddy conditions, but the Dal resilience was on show and we eventually grinded out a well-deserved win. For the first time in many years if I remember correctly.
Where and when did you start your rugby league journey? My rugby league journey started when I was three years old, with Rocky and Fred’s mini-Oulton raiders. I was running headfirst unaware of anything to do with rugby. Professionally my first team was Wakefield Trinity, very close to Sandal’s hearts being neighbours.
You're now based with Percy Park - how did you end up in that neck of the woods? I made the move up for university where I attended Northumbria, after finishing my studies I then enrolled as a Fire Warden at Newcastle Airport where I continued to live in the Heaton area. I have since moved to be a full- time aviation firefighter, it’s the stuff of dreams!
Who's more likely to win the league - Percy Park or Sandal? Being in 2nd and 3rd so early on as well as being on equal points it’s a tough one to tell, with Park only recently being promoted as a club we are doing are best and seeing where our performances take us. Sandal being veterans of the higher leagues I’d think their experience would tip it in their favour. If as a team Park can’t get that number one spot, I’d be cheering Sandal on to win.
Proudest moment on a rugby field? My proudest moment on a rugby field was being able to play in front of my Grandad at Hunslet stadium and being presented with my great-grandad Sam Newbound’s heritage number. He was a Hunslet legend in the late 1930’s and a massive inspiration for both me, my dad and my grandad. I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Do you ever see yourself moving back to God's own county and pulling on the Dal shirt again? I’d love to come back to my childhood club. I love the Dal and all the people I’ve met, it’s such a family friendly club with welcoming hearts of people from any walk of life or background. If there was ever a Sandal & Agbrigg International Airport I’d have my CV handed in quicker than a flash. For now, I’ve been designated a temporary Geordie pudding. I’m sure enough that I will be back for the Sweet Caroline Cup for years to come, a special event that I will try my very best to attend every year.
Who should Sandal be aware of in the Percy Park team? There are so many great strike players that’s I’ve witnessed in my short time at the club. Josh Headley the man mountain is a handful and Seb Reece with his blistering pace and “Tank” with his massive shots. We will be looking forward to a great battle all over the field and hopeful of a cracking contest.