The Nuns travel to Lichfield tomorrow night for a match under Floodlights as they look to start 2019 off as they finished the 2018. They will also be looking to reverse a defeat earlier in the season when Lichfield took the spoils with a bonus point defeat of the Nuns 30-12. Both sides have a similar playing record for the season with 6 wins and 8 defeats each but, Lichfield have 2 more bonus points to lie in 7th position on 35 points with the Nuns in 8th on 33. Last time out the Nuns put in a stirring performance in terrible conditions to defeat Doncaster Phoenix 24-7 whilst Lichfield went down 34-5 at Newport.

The Saxons also return to action this weekend and start the New year off with a home game against Birmingham/Solihull. They will be looking for improved results in the New Year, when they played earlier in the season the Saxons won 17-14.

The Colts will be looking to start the New Year with the good form that they showed in 2018 and they will be taking on Broadstreet in a home game at 2:15pm.

Team news: The Nuns make just one change to the pack from the last game of 2018 with Dave Melville unavailable Adie Hall steps up from the bench.
There are a couple of changes in the backline, with Elliott Brown returning in the centre Theo Knight moves to full back with Jackson Hughes reverting to the wing.
The bench sees three players returning to the squad Ben Holmes, Arron Skyrme and Ben Kirby, who will make his first appearance of the season.

Squad to play Lichfield RFC, away 7:45pm:

Nuneaton	Position	Position Sponsor
James Redman	1	Mark Gardner
Dale Bowyer	2	Brent Masser
Sam Greening	3	Ian Holt
Wills Messum	4
Scott Makepeace	5	Glyn Williams
Adie Hall	6	Mark Mitchell
Rudi Reid	7	Allan Taylor
Leigh Thompson	8
Tom Smitham	9	Paul Mitchell Home Improvements
Huw Thomas	10	Alibone/Carter
Nemani Rayabo	11	James Fletcher
Dylan Bale	12	Andy Kearns
Elliott Brown	13	Andy Webb
Jackson Hughes	14
Theo Knight	15	Adam Jones
Ben Holmes	16
Arron Skyrme	17
Ben Kirby	18

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

Saxons v Birmingham/Solihull, home 2pm: squad tbc.

Midlands Premier Round Up

Week 14 - 15 December

Scunthorpe didn’t give out any presents to Burton. Bridgnorth did spoil the party at Bournville. Newport (Salop) did stay near the top of the tree after entertaining Lichfield. Luctonians did switch off the lights at Syston. In a cracker Sheffield didn’t quite beat Broadstreet. Sandbach v Derby - I mulled over this one correctly - home win. Nuns looked more stable and beat Doncaster Phoenix. Six out of seven predictions correct.

Week 15 – 4/5 January 2019

In a Friday Night Special, the Nuns (8th) go to Lichfield (7) and will get revenge for an early season defeat. Scunthorpe (1) go to Derby (10) and I fancy the home side to pull off an upset. Match of the Day is Luctonians (4) v Newport (2) and I take the Herefordshire side to continue their winning run. Bridgnorth (3) have drawn 2 of their last 3 games but should beat Syston (14). Broadstreet (5) entertain Bournville (12) who have lost their last 7 games - home win. Sheffield (6) goes to Burton (11) and I’ll take a chance with a home win. Sandbach (9) don’t win many away games and won’t beat Doncaster Phoenix (13).

Happy New Year from Anchorman