Match Preview

This weekend Wheatley travel to Aldermarston as they return to action after what seems like an eternity since the last competitive game.

After a two week break to allow for their internationals to return, Wheatley will look to carry on where they left off and build on the 30-0 beating of Oxford with another successful trip into Berkshire.It's been a while since these two teams have met, with the last meetings coming back in the 13/14 season. On both those occasions, Wheatley were the victors, with 12-17 and 41-7 wins as Wheatley marched onto promotion. A lot has happened since then, players have come and gone, former captains have been disgraced and so Wheatley will have to look at the recent league form. Aldermarston are currently 7th in the table as we approach the last of the first round of fixtures, having won just once. A deeper look into their league form however shows that the one win was against league contenders Chipping Norton, and 3 of those losses have been by three points of less and as always, should not be under estimated.

A slightly different but incredibly strong side will make the long trip into 'Bandit country' with Alex Acklam once again leading the team in the front row. Alongside him is the ever present duo of Pete Mitchell and alledged moaner, Alex Gabbidon. No surprises to guess that the second row consists of the established Nick Banton alongside a chemically revitalised, but sugar free Matt Gibb. Daniel Bland's 'friend who is not his missus' has given him permission to play and so starts at 6, with the relatively new face of Oliver Kenworthy starting at number 7 as Caillin Taylor moves onto the bench. Jack Atkinson starts at number 8, missing out on his favoured second row berth.

It's all change in the backs as, for the first time this season, top scorer Aaron Laman is unavailable and so Gav Stanton moves off the wing to deputise. Due to the close bond Aaron and Andy Willis have built up this year, Willis stated that if has also declared himself out and so the returning card collector Duncan Dingle will play his first 70 minutes of the season at 10. With Jack Taylor (probably) on a Tinder date and Sanda Mpanza out of the country as he tries to save South African Rugby, Ian Downer moves from Full back into the centres alongside Joe 'The Good' Hobdell. Completing the team is the pacy trio of Adam Muir, Josh Hillsdon and Dan Rule, who returns for his first game after dislocating his elbow.

Alongside Taylor on the bench will be Jordan Hook and his sinuses, start of this week's 'Team Mates' Simon Chadbone and bringing the beers, Craigo Buddle.

Hopefully dry conditions and the usually good pitch that Aldermarston keep will allow Wheatley to play their whirlwind style of rugby which has seen them score 222 points whilst only conceding a league best of 32.

It'll be a tough game, but Aldermarston is an awful long way to go to lose and so all