Blues in weekend tussles at the top

Old Centralians host three as two plays one

NEWBURY BLUES return to action after a week’s break and on a Saturday when top of the table places are being contest in South West One East.

While third in the table Blues are on the road to fifth-placed Old Centralians, second side Old Patesians host leaders Maidenhead and Blues have the chance of improving their placing against a side relegated from National Three South West last term.

“We have some tough fixtures in the run-in to Christmas,” said Blues head coach Lee Goodall, “and Old Centralians is one of our furthest trips and I don’t think we’ve ever had success against them.

“Their form is erratic, shall we say, but they are stronger at home and its never an easy place to go.”

Centralians have been re-shaping following relegation and have been beaten only once at home by Banbury and, says Goodall: “We are going to be made to work hard. They are traditionally big up front and have a couple of playmakers in the backs.

“But we have to concentrate on our own performance not theirs, and know that on our day we are capable of beating anyone in the division.”Q

Blues are forced into one change to the squad that won at Witney two weeks ago with prop James Macauley away in America, but otherwise are at full strength apart from injury victim Chris Guyatt and Anthiony Hackett, still sidelined following a concussion.