The Nuns start the second half of the season with a short trip to Lichfield tomorrow and will be looking to gain revenge for a first home defeat of the season back in September. When the two sides met earlier in the season the Nuns took a late lead to go 21-18 up but on the last play of the game conceded a possession and then under pressure Lichfield scored a converted try to take the game. The Nuns, though, can take confidence from last weekend’s win over Derby into the game knowing that they can close off a game. With the score at 30-24, Derby launched a siege upon the home 22m and then 5m but the hosts defended stoically and turned over possession to win the game.

That win saw the Nuns move up to 8th in the league with 33 points, 6 wins and 9 bonus points, Lichfield currently lie 11th on 26 points, from 4 wins and 10 bonus points. Last weekend they rounded of the first half of the season with a tight 24-21 win at Newbold.

The Saxons game at Derby was cancelled due to a frozen pitch and this weekend they have no match.

Team news: two changes in the pack see Scott Makepeace return in the second row for Arron Turner (who rests a niggle) and Apo Satala is back at number 8 with Todd Bullions moving to the bench.

In the back line Huw Thomas starts at scrum half with Tom Smitham moving to the wing with Ollie Kitto out injured with a hamstring strain.

The bench is made up of Ryan Leake, Todd Bullions and Ryan Southall.

Squad to play Lichfield RFC, away 2.15pm:

Nuneaton	Position	Position Sponsor
Ben Holmes	1	Mark Gardner
Callum Grant-Smith	2	Brent Masser
Jon Pateman	3	Ian Holt
Matt Gibbs	4
Scott Makepeace	5
Rudi Reid	6	Mark Mitchell
Danny Southall	7	Allan Taylor
Apo Satala	8	Paul Griffiths
Huw Thomas	9	Paul Mitchell Home Improvements
Rory Vowles	10	Alibone/Carter
Tom Smitham	11	Andy Marshall, InControl Gas Services
Tim Douglas	12	Craig Dutton
Elliott Brown	13	Andy Baber
Jackson Hughes	14
Harry Garforth	15	Adam Jones
Ryan Leake	16
Todd Bullions	17
Ryan Southall	18

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

Midlands Premier – Round Up

Week 13 - 9th December

Only 3 games survived the wintry weather. Peterborough Lions took advantage to move up to second place with a win over Bournville. The Nuns upset the form book with a home win over Derby and Lichfield got their second away win of the season at Newbold.

Week 14 - 16th December

Top of the table Birmingham & Solihull travel the short distance to Bournville (10) and will return home with the spoils. Peterborough Lions (2) have a tough looking game at Derby (5) but will win. Newport (Salop) (3) go to Longton (11) who they beat 45-0 earlier in the season. Sandbach (4) will win at Bridgnorth (9). Doncaster Phoenix (6) will be the latest to put a cricket score on Old Halesonians (14). Scunthorpe (7) to beat Newbold (13) who are on a 7 match losing run. Nuns (8) go to Lichfield (11) looking to reverse an early season home defeat – and will.

Anchorman – Bon Noel

Week 14 Fixtures

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