The Nuns travel up to Staffordshire this weekend to take on Burton at Peel Croft. 12th placed Burton won promotion to the league last season have so far picked up 4 wins and 8 losses on their return to level 5 sitting on 23 points. They come in to the game on the back of defeats to Newport and Luctonians but have been scoring points in those games. The Nuns are on a run of two defeats to with a disappointing defeat to neighbours Broadstreet last week. The side moved down a position to 8th and have 28 points.
The Saxons also play Burton this weekend at home. They are still looking to get back to winning ways. Player availability and injuries has not allowed for any consistency in selection recently, but the players have stuck to the task of working hard. After a slow start last weekend at Broadstreet and going behind 29-0 at half time they managed to put together a better second half and finished up going down 34-14.
The Colts are back in action after a couple of weeks off. They have managed to get a few bodies back in action to and will be looking to continue their good league form as they travel to Earlsdon.
Team news: there are a couple of changes to the pack with a number of players returning to availability which has hampered the squad so far this season. Scott Makepeace has returned from America after being stationed for 4 months with the Navy and comes straight into the second row to partner Wills Messum. Rudi Reid, after two appearances from the bench, starts at blind side flanker for the first time this season having fully recovered from his off-season injury and Callum Grant-Smith moves to openside.
There are two changes in the back line with after Ben Cooper picked up a niggle in training and Moses Liwaliwa unavailable for a few weeks. Huw Thomas starts a t fly half and Elliot Norman in the centre.
The bench sees James Redman joined by Adie Hall, after completing a 2-week suspension, and Danny Southall.
Squad to play Burton RFC, away 2:15pm:
Nuneaton | Position | Position Sponsor |
Ben Holmes | 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 |
Callum Grant-Smith | 7 | Allan Taylor |
Leigh Thompson | 8 | |
Tom Smitham | 9 | Paul Mitchell Home Improvements |
Huw Thomas | 10 | Alibone/Carter |
Sion Cowdy | 11 | James Fletcher |
Elliot Norman | 12 | Andy Kearns |
Elliott Brown | 13 | Andy Webb |
Nemani Rayabo | 14 | |
Jackson Hughes | 15 | Adam Jones |
James Redman | 16 | |
Adie Hall | 17 | |
Dan Southall | 18 |
You can sponsor a position for £150 for the season, please contact sponsorship@nuneatonrugby.co.uk for more information.
Saxons V Burton, home 2.15pm:
Ed Taplin, Ryan Evans, Ryan Leake, Olly Moreton, Chris Smith, Shaun Blythe, Lewis Wilson, George Wallis, Liam Moore, Connor Franklin, Dylan Bale, Brendon Tait, Lewis Wrigley, Tiarnan Kelly, Adam Stauvers, Dan Pryce
Midlands Premier Round Up
Week 12 - 30 November & 1 December
Broadstreet won the Friday night game, beating the Nuns 25-10. Bridgnorth could only manage a draw at Sandbach. Scunthorpe returned to the top after beating Bournville. Newport (Salop) got the win against a spirited Burton. Luctonians shut out Derby 55-0. Sheffield did likewise to Syston 52-0. In a 90-point extravaganza Lichfield outscored Doncaster Phoenix 52-38
Week 13 - 8 December
We reach the half way mark with this week’s round of matches. Match of the day will see Scunthorpe (1) travel to Bridgnorth (3) and I expect a home win. Newport (Salop) (2) go to Derby (10) and the title chasers will win. Luctonians (4) take the long road to Doncaster Phoenix (10) and I think they will enjoy the journey home. Sheffield (5) - have won their last 4 games - travel to Bournville (11) who have lost their last 5. Away win. Broadstreet (6) to beat Sandbach (9). Lichfield (7) to win at Syston (14). Nuns (8) must not under estimate Burton (12)
Anchorman