Match Preview

After a full round of fixtures, Wheatley are now entering the inappropriately named 'Play off' section of the season as they play repeat fixtures against Littlemore, Berkshire Shire Hall, Chippy and this weekend's opponents, Harwell in the quest for promotion. Wheatley are currently 'two and o' against Harwell this season having beaten them 21-0 at home before a tougher encounter on the road resulted in a 30-26 victory and a 'try of the month contender'. Harwell finished the regular season in 5th placed and as such are the lowest ranked side in the top half of the table, however Wheatley are more than weary of firepower they possess and will look to nullify Harwell's strong running forwards.

Wheatley are still missing a couple of key players this week, however the strength in depth will once again come to the fore. The first notable absence is Wheatley's best captain in 3 years, Alex Acklam who will be ably deputised by Biggles Chadbone who will resist the urge to stay in and play with his toy planes highly sophisticated advanced flying camera platfrom. The Alex of the Gabbidon variety is also unavailable as he has finally crippled under the weight of that chip he carries on his shoulder, which allows the bulldozing Ezra Rees to take a front row starting berth. Providing some sort of familiarity to the front row is hooker and youngest vet Pete Mitchell. Nick Banton's RSI from doing the lion's share of pushing in the second row means that James Neal will take the number 4 shirt and pushing duties alongside Matt Gibb. A sober Dan Bland starts at number 6 alongside sometimes scrum half Caillin Taylor at 7. Jack Atkinson dodges the second row and retains the number 8 shirt, much to the delight of his much moaned at team mates.

Out in the backs, Jack Taylor is the benefactor of everyone's thoughts and prayers and starts at nine after last weeks horror injury with Andy Willis pulling the strings outside him. Finally restoring pride to the Hobdell name is Joe Hobdell who will captain the side having learned from his disgraced brother's mistakes. Josh Hillsdon will hopefully last more minutes than the number on his back when he starts at number 13 as last week's MOTM Joe Taylor will continue his fine form as he joins Dan Rule on the wings. Jordan Hook will have to go at least 80 minutes without completing a quiz on facebook to tell him which one direction star he'll marry as he starts at full back.

This match will also see Wheatley's largest (by both number and size) bench, with a full international set of 8 finishers looking to secure the points. James Butler returns from the tanning salon and is joined by Pete Evans who continues his return from thumb surgery. Keir Williams and Laurence Watts will provide more forwards cover alongside the versatile Russ Neal. Callum Fraser and David Thomas will provide the cover for the glass backs.

In an unprecedented and possibly ill advised move, the disgraced former captain Pooch has been named on the bench as he hopes to regain some credibility via proxy. Let it never be said that Wheatley Rugby do not do their charity work.

A 23 man squad will travel but a tough opposition awaits that will be sure to test the Purple Men's tackling technique.

Legs... LEGS.... LEEEEEEGGGGGGSSSS