Match Preview

After last week's stunning bonus point win against Farnham Royal that didn't even require a kit wash, Wheatley travel down the a34 to face 5th placed Harwell.

Wheatley last faced Harwell back in October in a tough, hard fought game that saw both Sanda Mpanza and Alex Gabbidon yellow carded, the former for allegedly kung fu kicking someone in the head* and the latter taking a ten minute rest for retaliation. Even though the Purple men played a quarter of the game with 14 players, they still emerged victorious with a 21-0 shutout, with the (now retired) Stanton, J Taylor and Laman all crossing the whitewash. Since that day Harwell have picked up wins against Aldermarston and Farnham royal, and have narrowly lost to Oxford (7 points), Chippy (5 points) and Shire hall (1 point). The biggest blemish on their record was a recent 84-7 home loss to Wheatley's league rivals, Littlemore.

With a few players missing this week, Wheatley will be fielding a slightly different side to the one that should have played Farnham last week.

Captain Acklam will lead the team at prop, alongside the ever present Peter Mitchell. Alex Gabbidon has recovered from the burns inflicted by Coach Ward on Tuesday and completes the front row. Nick Banton adds another cap to his vast collection, whilst Matt Gibb will start along side him. Caillin Taylor returns to the side at openside, with Daniel Bland taking the blindside shirt. Jack Atkinson returns from the gym to start at number 8.

The major changes to the team come in the back line, but providing normality to the side is Aaron Laman at scrum half who will have to start a new bromance with Jack Taylor who replaces the absent Willis. With Taylor at 10, Iain Downer moves from his customary full back slot to cover 12 and in the absence of Joe Hobdell, Josh Hillsdon moves in from the wing to start at 13. Callum Fraser makes his first start for the first team in a couple of months, joining Dan Rule on the wing. Jordan Hook covers Downer's place at 15.

Some could say that naming a bench consisting of a prop (Simon Chadbone) and Hooker (Jake Durbin) is perhaps slightly forward heavy, but with their quick minds*, quick feet* and quick hands*, coupled with utility back* Gabbidon on the pitch, 1-15 will be competently covered*.

Wheatley will be reminded of the tough encounter they had in October and a loss here will make next week's game against Littlemore obsolete. Leagues are won by beating everyone, not just the leaders.

Kick off at 2.15 at Harwell

*Not entirely true.