This weekend sees Wheatley welcome the BBO Championship Champions Elect and local rivals, Littlemore to the Holton Playing Fields of dreams. Having already played each other twice this season with a huge total of 25 points scored between them and a net points difference of 5 in Littlemore's favour, this weekend could prove to be another titanic encounter between the two teams.
Littlemore currently lie top of the table with an unassailable lead of 20 points over 2nd place Wheatley (15 if you count the points deducted due to an infringement from last year...) and currently have a 100% record, with their last game being a 98-5 demolition of Harwell and despite having won the championship, they will be looking to keep that 100% record going. Wheatley on the other hand, know that a win here would all but seal 2nd place and will ease some pressure off of the Chippy and Berkshire shire hall games.
With big games come big teams and this weekend is no different.
Captain Alex takes charge of the purple men once again as he is joined by Simon Chadbone and Jake Durbin, who takes over hooking duties from the unavailable Peter Mitchell. Nick Banton is still recovering and so once again James Neal will fill the vacant number 4 shirt and do the lions share of the pushing alongside Northern Ireland's second finest Matt Gibb. Oliver Kenworthy returns from the hand injury he suffered against Oxford and replaces Dan 'saved a life' Bland at 6, alongside Caillin Taylor at 7. Much to the Littlemore's 10s delight, Jack Atkinson will start at 8 as he looks for redemption.
Aaron Laman makes his long awaited return from a knee injury at 9 meaning that Jack Taylor will move out to the number ten position. Josh Hillsdon and Joe Hobdell will start in the centres and will look to free up the dangerous back free of Dan Rule, Joe Taylor and the Hooky Hand off himself, Jordan Hook.
On top of a strong 15, Wheatley will also be fielding their strongest set of finishers they have had for a while. Providing the front row cover will be Ezra Rees and Alex Gabbidon and in a surprising turn of balance, backs cover will be provided by Adam Muir and the returning Iain Downer (Hand) and Sanda Mpanza (shoulder).
Both sides know that these fixtures have been their toughest of the year and motivation will be dialled up to 11 on both sides as they look to prove themselves against their closest (in terms both of class and geography) rivals.
Make sure you're at Holton Playing Fields for 2.30pm, it's sure to be a banger.