Newbury Blues running into form

NEWBURY Blues warmed up for their toughest test of the season so far by crushing Berkshire rivals Windsor 64-0.

The win lifted them up to fourth place in South West 1 East ahead of Saturday's trip to second-placed Banbury.

And head coach Paul Archer is under no illusions as to the size of the task his side faces.

He said: "Banbury away is always a difficult place to go – they are going well and always play the game the right way.

"It will be tough, but it is the sort of challenge we want if we are to have aspirations of playing at a higher level."

Blues made a slow start to the campaign, but the signs are that they are beginning to hit top form.

Archer said: "We have had a few games when we have not been at our best, but it started to come good on Saturday.

"It was pleasing because it was a culmination of stuff we have been working on in training.

"We have got a few players back from injury and will look to press on."

Blues proved far too strong for Windsor in a game that marked Jamie Futcher's 150th game for the first team and the return of fly-half Dan Thorne after three weeks out with a knee injury.