The Nuns host Doncaster Phoenix tomorrow in the last game of 2018. It is also the start of the second half of the season and the Nuns will be looking to turn around their fortunes too. Last weekend they put in a sub-standard performance and were put to the sword by Burton. They have trained hard this week and are determined to put on a strong show for the home crowd entering the Xmas break.

Whilst the Nuns lost away 44-13 last weekend Doncaster also lost at home to Luctonians 24-7 with both teams on 3 match losing streaks. Nuns slipped to 11th in the league and Phoenix are in 13th. They have a record of 4 wins and 9 defeats to the Nuns 5 wins 8 defeats, but they have had a 10point deduction for a pre-season misdemeanour.

The Club would like to thank the Full Match Sponsors of – Brian Campbell & Family who are sponsoring the match, all, mascot and man of the match.

We also welcome the U7s for the M&J Focus team and they will be showing off their skills before the game.

The Colts play in an early kick off against Stratford at 1pm. Last weekend they defeated Earlsdon Colts away 14-10 as they resumed after a short break.

The Saxons have a blank weekend before resuming league action in the new year. Last weekend they went down 29-24 to Burton in a game that saw more positives but still a win eludes them.

Team news: the Nuns make just one change to the pack from last weekend with Dave Melville fit again after a few weeks training. He comes in on the flank for Callum Grant-Smith who moves to the bench.

In the backline, Dylan Bale returns to the squad after injury. Theo Knight and Richard Johnston also come into consideration. Elliott Brown is unavailable and a final decision on the backline will be made before the match Saturday.

Squad to play Doncaster Phoenix RFC, Number 1 pitch 2:15pm:

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
Rudi Reid	6	Mark Mitchell
Dave Melville	7	Allan Taylor
Leigh Thompson	8
Tom Smitham	9	Paul Mitchell Home Improvements
Huw Thomas	10	Alibone/Carter
Sion Cowdy	11	James Fletcher
Dylan Bale	12	Andy Kearns
Richard Johnston	13	Andy Webb
Nemani Rayabo	14
Theo Knight	15	Adam Jones
Callum Grant-Smith	16
Adie Hall	17
Jackson Hughes	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 - 8 December.

Scunthorpe and Bridgnorth fought out a rare draw. Newport (Salop) surprisingly lost out at Derby. Luctonians enjoyed their trip to Doncaster Phoenix, coming away with a narrow win. Sheffield kept their winning run going at Bournville. Broadstreet shared the points with Sandbach (19 – 19). Lichfield beat Syston by 7 points in a 73-point thriller. Nuns couldn’t rise to the occasion, suffering a heavy defeat at Burton.

Week 14 - 15 December.

Scunthorpe (1) won’t be giving out any presents to Burton (10). Bridgnorth (2) should spoil the party at Bournville (12). Newport (Salop) (3) to stay near the top of the tree after entertaining Lichfield (7). Luctonians (4) to switch off the lights at Syston (14). Sheffield (5) to beat Broadstreet (6) in a cracker. Sandbach (9) v Derby (8) - I mulled over this one for some time - home win. Nuns (11) with only one win from the last seven, look for a stable future and should beat Doncaster Phoenix (13).

Bon Noel

Anchorman