Blues start the catch-up game

But injuries bite ahead of Oxford trip

NEWBURY BLUES have to begin rebuilding their promotion challenge when they go to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday.

Last week’s home defeat at Old Patesians’ hands leaves them nine points behind the leaders and eight adrift of second in the table Maidenhead, needing to play catch-up to stand a chance of reaching either the automatic and play-off promtoion spots.

“Our promotion challenge is not over, no way” said head coach Lee Goodall, “but it’s more difficult.

“We’ve lost seven points in two weeks and that’s particularly frustrating.”

Blues now face the task of reshaping their side for the Harlequins game. Skipper Dan Thorne remains sidelined by an ankle injury and brother Toby is also a doubt with a similar problem.

Second row Kyle Doel also has the problem and will miss the game, while Rory Jones broke a finger and is likely to be out of action until February.