Last weekend of Senior rugby for the 2017-18 season

It is the last league games of the season for the Nuns and Saxons as the 2017-18 league season draws to a close. Both teams will be looking to finish on positives but both face challenges with Doncaster Phoenix visiting Liberty Way for the first time and the Saxons heading up to Burton.

Both sides come into the game on the back of a run of defeats. Last weekend Donny went down 54-21 to Newport whilst the Nuns missed out 44-31 at Derby. When the two sides met back at the start of the season the hosts were victorious 38-32 in a game where the Nuns started slowly, finished strong but had left too much to do. Last weekend’s defeat saw the side slip to 9th in the league on 62 points and Doncaster are 7th with 71 points.

The Saxons, 7th, finish of the season having had to withdraw from the last two fixtures due to player injury and unavailability with a trip to Burton who sit 3rd in the league.

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There is also two curtain raiser fixtures tomorrow with the U14 and then U15 sides facing touring teams back to back from 11:45am on the Stadium pitch so come on down for a day of rugby in the sun.

Team news: Callum Grant-Smith moves back to hooker from the flank. Tom Aherne returns in the second row which allows Adie Hall to move back to number 8 with Danny Southall coming back on the flank.

The backs are the unit hit by injury this week with Huw Thomas and Elliott Brown both missing out through injury. Richard Johnston starts at fly half with Moses Liwaliwa returning to the centre with Adam Huxford, who will make his debut.

Squad to play Doncaster Phoenix RFC, Stadium 3pm:

You can sponsor a position for £150 for the season, please contact sponsorship@nuneatonrugby.co.uk for more information.

Saxons squad to play Burton away, 3pm:

Adam Ross, Joji Volaikisuva, Olly Moreton, Chris Smith, Dave Melville, Liam Moore, Lewis Wilson, Lewis Wrigley, Liam Griffin, Connor Franklin, Matt Guilfoyle, Elliott Norman, Lewis Collins, Jake Waddingham, Jack Allen, Rob Braid

Midlands Premier – Round Up

Week 25 – 14 April

Birmingham & Solihull went down to Sandbach for the second time this season. Peterborough Lions beat Bournville in a 91 point thriller (55-36). Newport (Salop) beat Doncaster Phoenix in another high scoring game. Scunthorpe relegated Longton with a home win. Bridgnorth beat the already relegated Old Halesonians. Nuns couldn’t hold on to a halftime lead at Derby. Lichfield won the basement battle over Newbold who are now relegated.

Week 26 - 21 April

Tough game for Birmingham & Solihull (1) at Scunthorpe (4). Two defeats in a row for the Bees? Peterborough Lions (2) should beat Bridgnorth (5). Newport (Salop) (3) still have a chance of catching the Lions and will beat Lichfield (11). Sandbach (6) go to Bournville (10) and the formbook says away win. Nuns (9) will hope to finish their season with a win over Doncaster Phoenix (6). Old Halesonians (14) sign off their miserable season at home to Derby (8) and I don’t expect any joy for the home side. Newbold (12) and Longton (13) will no doubt drown their sorrows in this battle of the relegated teams – Newbold to win.

Catch up Week No.5 -28 April

Birmingham & Solihull complete the Midlands Premier fixtures at home to Newport (Salop). They will want to go out with a win and they probably will. Congratulations to them on their automatic promotion.

Anchorman

Fixtures

Bournville V Sandbach
Newbold V Longton
Newport V Lichfield
Nuneaton V Doncaster Phoenix
Old Halesonians V Derby
Peterborough Lions V Bridgnorth
Scunthorpe V Birmingham/Solihull