Team news for the weekend as 1st & Saxons host Newport

The Nuns will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in 2018 as they host 3rd placed Newport this weekend. The recent good form has seen the side pickup 5 wins in the last 6 games and move up the table to 6th, 5 points behind the weekend visitors. Last weekend the two sides had opposite results with the Nuns picking up a bonus point win over Newbold but Newport went down 12-8 at home to Scunthorpe. Newport have 52 league points from 14 games and the Nuns have 47 but from 16 games. When the two sides met earlier in the season the Nuns were the first team to beat Newport when they collected a hard earnt 17-12 victory. That performance, in poor weather, was built on discipline with and without the ball, hard work in defence and the team being clinical when scoring chances came. The Nuns know that they will need to repeat most of that again this weekend if they are to pick up a win.

Thanks to Jason Etherton for sponsoring the Man of the Match

A big thank you to the volunteers of the Mini & Junior Section of the club who are filling the Marquee dinners tomorrow. Your work goes a long way in preparing players for the future of the club.

The Saxons are at home action against Newport 2s in the second double header in successive weekends. Last week they claimed a 33-22 win over Newbold 2s and it was great to have a full 22-man squad available and tough selection headaches to narrow it down to that. When they visited Newport earlier in the season the hosts took the win 23-21. Newport have picked up 2 more wins than the Saxons in the league and so another tough game looks in order.

Team news: in the pack Callum Grant-Smith moves back to hooker with Apo Satala coming back in at number 8.

In the back line, there is just one change with Huw Thomas and Tom Smitham change places.

Ryan Leake moves back to the bench alongside Adie Hall, who has re-joined the club from Manor Park, and Tom Smitham.

Squad to play Newport RFC, Number 1 pitch 2.15pm:

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

Saxons V Newport home, 2:15pm:

Ed Taplin, Joji Volaikisuva, Adam Ross, Sam Greening, Josh Greatrix, Chris Smith, Sam Wallis, Oli Moreton, Arron Skyrme, Tom Aherne, Tom Leeson, Liam Moore, Lewis Wilson, Matt Guilfoyle, Marcus Holt, Ryan Southall, Jake Waddingham, Aidan Rose, Adam Stauvers, Connor Franklin, Simao Van Zeller, Jack Grubb, Taks Ndewere

Midlands Premier – Round Up

Week 16 - 13th January

Birmingham & Solihull didn’t have it all their own way at Derby but they did win. Likewise. Peterborough Lions only beat Lichfield by 7 points. Newport (Salop) slipped up at home to an improving Scunthorpe. Doncaster Phoenix overcame Sandbach. Nuns worked hard to beat Newbold. Bridgnorth had an easy win over Bournville. Longton added to the misery of Old Halesonians

Week 17 - 20th January

Birmingham & Solihull (1) have a tough game at home to Doncaster Phoenix (4) and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset. Peterborough Lions (2) should beat Longton (12). Newport (Salop) (3) go to the Nuns (6) seeking revenge for an early season defeat. They won’t get it. Scunthorpe (5) will have a tough game against Bridgnorth (9) but should win. Sandbach (7) to beat Lichfield (10). Derby (8) have lost their last 5 games but should beat Bournville (11). Newbold (13) to win a close game against Old Halesonians (14)

Anchorman

Week 17 Fixtures

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