The Nuns host Warwickshire rivals Broadstreet tomorrow afternoon in a top of the table clash. With the Nuns losing at Bridgnorth a fortnight ago and Broadstreet defeating Longton (49-34) they have swapped places in the league. It is very tight at the top now with just 6 points separating the top 4 spots. Broadstreet have 79, Nuns 78, Sheffield 76 and Peterborough on 73. When the two sides met earlier in the season the season the Nuns won the Friday night encounter 14-9, this was the last time ‘Street tasted defeat and have picked up 10 wins and a draw since.

This weekend is the second Past Players re-union of the season and it will be great to see over 100 former Nuns supporting the club.

The club would like to thank the following for sponsoring this weekend fixture:

Countrywide – Match and Man of the Match

David & Gail Cadden – Match Ball

The Saxons are also playing Broadstreet 2s tomorrow at 12.3opm on the number 2 pitch so supporters and players can get the chance to watch two games in the afternoon. They come into the weekend on the success of retaining the Warwickshire 2nd team Cup having defeated Stratford 2s last Sunday. This was an excellent game from both sides with the Saxons never quite able to shake of their opponents but secured victory with a 31-23 score line.

The Colts don’t have a game this weekend.

Team news: Jon Pateman picked up a foot injury in training which could side line him for the season and so Ben Holmes switches sides and James Redman comes in at loose head having performed well for the Saxons recently. Umraan Dixon-Jadwat returns at number 8 with Todd Bullions moving to the flank alongside Rudi Reid with Dave Melville now in New Zealand. In the backline Huw Thomas comes back in at scrum half for Tom Smitham, who is unavailable, and partners Rob Cook at fly half as Rhodri Adamson has picked up a minor hamstring strain. Theo Knight moves from wing to the centre with Olli Kitto getting his first start on the wing and there will also be a debut for young Fijian Moses Liwaliwa from the bench having had some strong performances in the Saxons this season.

Squad to play Broadstreet RFC, number 1 pitch 2pm:

1 James Redman
2 Dan Oselton
3 Ben Holmes
4 James Moreton
5 Llyr Griffiths
6 Rudi Reid
7 Todd Bullions
8 Umraan Dixon-Jadwat
9 Huw Thomas
10 Rob Cook
11 Ollie Kitto
12 Timothy Douglas
13 Theo Knight
14 Jackson Hughes
15 Kane Nixon
Replacements: Nick Smith, Scott Makepeace, Moses Liwaliwa

Saxons to play Broadstreet RFC, number 2 pitch 12.30pm:

Ed Taplin, Sam Greening, Ryan Leake, Lewis Wilson, Chris Smith, Matt Gibbs, Tom Aherne, Ben Higgins, Danny Southall, George Wallis, Leighton Norton, Brad Darlaston, Matt Guilfoyle, Adam Stauvers, Lewis Wrigley, Dhillon Taylor, Manasa Volaikisuva, Tom Leeson, Brad Whitmore

National 3 Midlands - Round up

Week 22 - 11th March

Nuns surprise defeat at Bridgnorth means Broadstreet go top after their win over Longton. Sheffield stay third with a narrow win at Towcestrians. Peterborough Lions won at Bedford Athletic. Birmingham & Solihull beat their local rivals Old Halesonians. Derby lost at home to Lichfield. Sandbach and Syston fought out a 20-20 draw.
Only 6 points separate the top 4 with 4 games to go!

Week 23 - 25th March

Lichfield (8th) v Towcestrians (10th) - Both teams in reasonable form. Home win.
Longton (12) v Derby (7) - Who knows? Who cares? Home win.
Nuneaton (2) v Broadstreet (1) - Nuns unbeaten home record is at stake + much, much more. Home win by 7 points.
Old Halesonians (6) v Bridgnorth (9) - Old Hales to win this one.
Peterborough Lions (4) v Birmingham & Solihull (5) - B & S are toothless. Lions to roar.
Sandbach (11) v Bedford Athletic (13) - Sandbach to beat plucky Ath.
Sheffield (3) v Syston (14) - The banker bet of the day. Home win.

Anchorman