Blues call for derby day spirit

Promotion-chasing Redingensians visit Monks Lane in clash of top versus bottom in Berkshire

NEWBURY BLUES are hoping for some derby spirit to make the difference when they play promotion-chasing Berkshire rivals Redingensians at Monks Lane on Saturday.

The sides met last season in the Berkshire Cup at Monks Lane where Redingensians put 50 points on Blues, then in the higher division.

Now the teams meet for the first time in a league match in more than 20 years with Redingensians third in the table and Blues still searching for their first win in Division Three South and West.

"We know it's going to be tough," said director of rugby Andy Widdop. "But we're drilling into the players how important such a derby game as this is.

"A lot of them have been playing Redingensians at junior level for years, but this will be their first time at this level, and it means so much more.

"Hopefully we can get the bit between our teeth and give it a go."

Redingensians' will have former Blues fly half Will Clarke in their ranks, and have also recently signed England Sevens flanker Mark Odejobi, while Blues will be without prop Paul Hawkins and centres Phil Simmons in Iain Herriot. But scrum half Alex Kane and flt half Oscar Matthews are fit along with centre Isaac Nicholls, and Widdop is consiering a call-up for veteran prop and former Zimbabwe international Graham Stewart.