Blues defend top two spot against early strugglers

Chippy down to Monks Lane looking for first win

NEWBURY BLUES head into the last of their six-match block running into rugby’s first international break with a chance of snatching top spot in South West One East.

That will depend upon fourth-placed Grove upsetting leaders Maidenhead on their artificial surface, and Blues themselves seeing off a visiting Chippenham side that has so far struggled to settle back into the division following relegation from National Three South West.

They have lost all five of their outings so far, but their most recent games produced an improvement via a 34-20 defeat at Grove and a single point home defeat at Maidenhead’s hands.

“I know thay haven’t won this season,” said Blues head coach Lee Goodall, “but they have four losing bonus points and have been running teams close.

“There are no easy games in this league and they have to win one day. I don’t want us to be the first ones they beat!”

Blues will go into the game at close to full strength with Amthony Hackett definitely out with concussion and Josh Bartlett a doubt with a back muscle strain.

THATCHAM make the trip to Buckingham in Southern Counties North while in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier Division, Hungerford defend their 100 per cent start when they welcome Risborough to The Triangle and Tadley Tigers go to early basement dwellers Phoenix.