Blues looking for a winning return

Newbury take on Lydney at Monks Lane tomorrow (Saturday) still in search of their first league win of the season

NEWBURY Blues will return to competitive action this week still in pursuit of their first league win of the season.

Blues, who are currently bottom of the National League Two South table with just two points, entertain Lydney at Monks Lane tomorrow (Saturday) - a side they lost to 52-8 earlier in the season.

But Blues' director of rugby, Andy Widdop, said his boys are looking forward to playing some rugby again after an extended winter break, adding that his side would be looking to do better against the West Country side.

He said: “This is the first game we will have played against a team we have already played this season.

“We went down there and came away on the losing side. We thought we put in a good first half performance against them, but we weren't so good in the second half.

“This time, we want a better performance for the full 80 minutes.”

Widdop, however, admitted that Lydney would be a tough test having beaten sides above them in the league table this year.

He said: “They will probably look at us and expect to come and win, but it is up to us to make sure that doesn't happen.”

Widdop should have an almost full-strength squad to choose from for the game with several niggling injuries to players healing over the festive period, although long-term absentee Liam Perkins is unlikely to be ready to feature for several weeks yet, despite starting training again.

Kick off for the match is at 3pm.