Blues can't afford to slip up at Grove

Tricky trip before current top two clash at Monks Lane

NEWBURY BLUES’ first task is to ensure that they retain at least the second place they hold in South West One East when they go to Grove on Saturday.

Thy have to negotiate that tricky trip before facing current leaders Maidenhead at Monks Lane the following week, although Saturday’s results could mean a slight change in positions.

“Maidenhead don’t have the best away record, “ said Blues head coach Lee Goodall, “and If they slip up at Witney and we win, they could be coming to us to fire us off the top.

“But if we lose, we potentially go down to fifth and then we’re in a completely different ball game.

“The big focus is on this week and we’re certainly fired up for the task.”

Blues have been preparing for the job on Grove’s narrow playing surface by training in narrower confines and they will go to the Oxfordshire club with substantially the same squad that put 60-points plus past Chippenham two weeks ago. Alex Millar again misses out with a calf injury, and although Josh Bartlett is fit to return, he is having a second XV run-out to build match fitness, and the only absentee is winger Toby Pearce.