Championship One Preview: Hemel Stags v Gateshead Thunder

Hemel Stags coach Troy Perkins is expected to name an unchanged team as he aims for a second victory over Gateshead Thunder in 2014.

The Stags emerged 37-24 victors in March, but Perkins has warned his side they need to make major improvements in order to claim another triumph.

Perkins said: “Last week we produced a very good 40 minute performance, and the last time we played Gateshead we put in another good 40 minutes before letting them back into the game.

“This week it’s about producing an 80-minute performance and making life easy for ourselves rather than producing mistakes that let the opposition back in.”

He added: “Gateshead have had a week off to regroup after their last game, and they’re stacked with full-time Hull KR players that give them a bit more quality.

“If we perform for 80 minutes we should be OK, but they’ve quality in their team like Matty Beharrell, Keal Carlile and Jamie Rooney. We’ve got to be ready.”

Thunder coach Stanley Gene is aiming for a win in the club’s first game under its new owners.

Gene said: “We’re looking at this season, and hopefully we can get in the play-offs. If you get in the play-offs, you never know what can happen.”