Another relegation battle for Blues

Newbury head to Orpington on Saturday to take on Westcombe Park, who are currently third from bottom in the league

NEWBURY BLUES face their latest relegation battle when they head to Orpington to tackle a Westcombe Park side currently holding down third-to-bottom spot in National League Division Two South.

Park desperately need a win to stay in touch with the teams above them, while Blues long ago went beyond 'desperate' in their need for victories and are themselves 23 points behind the rest with only nine games to play.

Westcombe Park won another survival dogfight 17-13 at Hinckley last week but remain without a home win all season with all three of their successes coming on the road - including a 33-22 win at Monks Lane in October.

As a result, Saturday looks set to be another relegation dogfight, something with which Blues should be familiar by now.

"We have to win more than them," said Blues director of rugby Andy Widdop. "But they would be in trouble if they lose to us and they have some tough games ahead as well."

Blues' have to end their habit of conceding early scores, which continued at Worthing last week when they were opened up after only 28 seconds.

"In all of the last five games we have conceded a try in the opening five minutes," said Widdop. "We have been working to try and put that right."

Blues will again be forced into changes with flanker Greg Price suffering from a broken toe and Max Tuiai and Andy Cannock also ruled out.

But they have Oscar Matthews, Ian Herriott, Luke Sawyer, Nathan Thomas and Jack Taggart available and have also brought in young back Jonathan English form the Overton side that produced winger Myles Roberts Bailey.