It was an agonising defeat last week for the boys in Red and Green, as the team lost 30-15 to a strong Winchester outfit. Regardless, it is the 10th match of the season and the squad head to Newbury Blues in Berkshire for a fixture that many haven’t seen in a while.

Located in West Berkshire, Newbury have been competing since 1928, and have been located at their Monks Lane HQ since 1958, with multiple men’s teams and a large youth section to bolster it. The Blues won South West 1 in the 2018-19 season and have since been competing in the London leagues. The squad currently sit in 10th place in the league, having picked up one of their 2 total wins last weekend against North Dorset, in a low scoring fixture resulting in 5-10 win. Undoubtedly, the season has been difficult this far but this league has proven it comes with many ups and downs, so it will be anyone’s game this Saturday.

It is another handful of changes, as the coaches seek to find their perfect combination this year. Veteran Harley Orr comes in to start at loosehead, joining Nic Wilde back in the starting mix and the high scoring Dan Sargent. Oli Hunt remains consistent in his lock position, along with the return of PRFC’s international player Franko Tomic, who returns from Croatian Rugby duties. Just the one change in the back row this week, with Liam Perkins dropping to the bench, giving Jack Janaway (6), Karter Whittock (7) and Matt Momber to fill the 8 top. Joe Knowles takes the reigns of the scrum again, with a third consecutive game in the position. He is accompanied by Nick Blumlein, who will be hoping to adapt the kicking game this weekend after Winchester strung the squad last week. It is a completely different centre partnership this week, as Greg Jansen fills the inside and is joined by Toby Colwood to offer space and pace on the outside. Miles Sampson and Ethan Horsfall will be combining their power and pace on either wing, and Will Mathews demonstrates his skill-set as he swaps the centre for a full-back top.

The bench is filled with experience from higher leagues, as Ryan Wilkie, Liam Perkins and Alex Duffus make for a dangerous trio to add impact later in the match.

2nd XV Host League Leaders Millbrook In Crunch Penns Place Clash

Rest assured, there is rugby at Penns Place this weekend.

The 2nd XV are host to table-topping Millbrook RFC, who are yet to lose a fixture in their Counties 2 Hampshire run. Whilst the 2s may not have been pushing the top of the league in their debut season, they are currently enjoying a midtable position with some notable victories to their name. It has been an extremely important year for the team, with so many fresh faces earning their stripes in the second team before they go on to earn honours in the 1st XV, just like the players before them did. It must not be forgotten that this is squad which was promoted 3 leagues this year, so to be fighting above relegation is an achievement itself – not that these boys want to settle for anything!

It's a familiar front row, as Mark Butcher, Chad White and Will Cross add some serious pushing weight. Lewis McGarr and Ryan Morse will be backing up from the engine room, as Josh Stephens, recently capped 1st XV player Max Faulker and Carl Sharrock for a tough back row. Oscar Horsfall and Archie Whitear once again create a youthful half-back pairing, bringing their skills through from the academy they played together in. Jasper Campbell starts again in the 12 shirt, branching in from the wing. He is joined by Louie Dwyer-Ward, a recent signing to the club. It’s another duo of academy graduates on the wings as Oli Bott and Sid Brockwell line up again, in a season with plenty of rugby for them so far. Sam Dawes completes the squad at full-back.

Much like the 1st XV, the bench is full of experience as Eryn Eales, Jon Horsfall and Connah Bason will undoubtedly bring the power in what will be a scintillating fixture for those who cannot make the journey to Berkshire! Kick-off is at 14:30.