The Nuns are back at home and om the Stadium pitch this weekend as they entertain top of the table Birmingham/Solihull. The Nuns went down 15-12 last week at Sandbach, a result that has seen them drop down to 8th in the league with a record of won 4 lost 5. The Bees have had a near perfect start to the season with 9 wins and 7 bonus points to date. Last weekend they had their closest game yet with a 23-22 victory away at Newport. Last season it was honours even with the home team winning both games and the Nuns will be hoping for a similar fate for this weekend’s game.
The weekends game will be the first past players re-union of the season and 180 former Nuns are booked in for lunch. It should help create a fantastic atmosphere at the club. The future of the club will also be on display with members of the Rugger Rats providing some rugby on the pitch before the game.
A thank you to the Ball Sponsor for the game - Allen Brothers Property Renovations Ltd
The Saxons are also at home against Bees 2s and will be looking to right some wrongs from last weekend’s heavy defeat at Hinckley. An understrength team went down 104-0 but players have trained hard this week to make a difference.
Team news: the pack see’s changes with Dan Oselton moving up to start at hooker from the bench. Scott Makepeace is available from Navy duties and starts in the second row alongside Arron Turner who moves from the back row. His place is taken by Rudi Reid on the flank. Josh Greatrix and Tom Aherne miss out and Matt Gibbs has a back injury.
In the backline Rory Vowles misses out with a hip flexor injury so Tyler Price moves from centre to fly half and Elliott Brown returns in his place.
Sam Greening, Callum Grant-Smith and Huw Thomas form a new bench.
Squad to play Birmingham/Solihull RFC, Stadium 2.15pm:
Nuneaton | Position | Position Sponsor |
Ben Holmes | 1 | Mark Gardner |
Dan Oselton | 2 | Brent Masser |
Jon Pateman | 3 | Ian Holt |
Scott Makepeace | 4 | |
Arron Turner | 5 | |
Rudi Reid | 6 | Mark Mitchell |
Todd Bullions | 7 | Allan Taylor |
Apo Satala | 8 | Paul Griffiths |
Tom Smitham | 9 | Paul Mitchell Home Improvements |
Tyler Price | 10 | Alibone/Carter |
Ollie Kitto | 11 | Andy Marshall, InControl Gas Services |
Tim Douglas | 12 | Craig Dutton |
Elliott Brown | 13 | Andy Baber |
Jackson Hughes | 14 | |
Harry Garforth | 15 | Adam Jones |
Sam Greening | 16 | |
Callum Grant-Smith | 17 | |
Huw Thomas | 18 |
You can sponsor a position for £150 for the season, please contact sponsorship@nuneatonrugby.co.uk for more information.
Saxons V Bees 2s, Number 1 pitch 2.15pm:
Adam Ross, Joji Volaikisuva, Ed Taplin, Chris Smith, Lewis Wilson, Jake Waddingham, Luke Braddow, Tom Aherne, Tom Leeson, Manasa Volaikisuva, Connor Franklin, Moses Liwaliwa, Adam Stauvers, Jack Grubb, Lewis Collins, Lewis Wrigley, Aidan Rose, Dan Southall
Midlands Premier – Round Up
Week 9 - 4th November
Birmingham & Solihull kept their winning run going, but only by 1 point over Newport (Salop). Peterborough Lions easily beat Old Halesonians (90-0). Sandbach controversially outscored the Nuns. Doncaster Phoenix won at home to Scunthorpe. Derby won at Lichfield. Bournville had a 1 point victory over Newbold. Bridgnorth shut out Longton 23-0.
Week 10 - 11th November
Birmingham & Solihull won’t relish their trip to Liberty Way, but can the Nuns (8) raise their game to topple the league leaders? Peterborough Lions (2) should win at Scunthorpe (10). Newport (Salop) (3) will be too strong for Bournville (7). Sandbach (4) will add to Old Halesonians’ misery (14). Doncaster Phoenix (5) to beat Lichfield (11) - who don’t travel very well. Derby (6) to see off the struggling Longton (13). Bridgnorth (10) to extend Newbold’s (12) losing run to 5 games.
Anchorman
Week 10 Fixtures
Doncaster Phoenix V Lichfield
Bournville V Newport
Bridgnorth V Newbold
Derby V Longton
Sandbach V Old Halesonians
Scunthorpe V Peterborough Lions
Nuneaton V Birmingham/Solihull