Blues hope for lucky 13

RUGBY: Former England lock Fidler awaits Newbury as they bid to halt losing run

NEWBURY BLUES can only hope that it is 13th time lucky this season when they go to Old Patesians on Saturday.

Last Saturday's 67-0 beating by league leaders Chinnor was Blues' 12th straight defeat of the campaign, and they go to Cheltenham to play a Patesians side buoyed by their performance in losing 41-14 at Bournemouth, despite having three players yellow-carded.

They included coach Rob Fidler, the former England, Gloucester and Bath lock who leads the side on and off the field.

It also includes former Blues back George Hughes, who had a short spell with the club on loan from Bath before joining Doncaster.

Of the league's leading 19 try scorers, 14 are from Bournemouth, Chinnor or Redingensians, and Hughes is one of the interlopers with eight.

Patesians finished third to runners-up Bournemouth and promoted Hartpury College last term.