Millbrook step into the unknown for the third successive season when they start their defence of the trophy against visitors from 'abroad' in the Hampshire Gales Plate.

Jersey United Banks, winners of the Channel Islands preliminary rounds having seen off St Jacques and 2003 Plate champions Les Quennevais, will provide the opposition for the Hampshire One mid-table side.

But, once again, the home side are counting the cost of injuries and the sudden retirement of 24-year-old flanker Wayne Allen citing work and family commitments.

Long-term absentees Dominic Sales and Richard Goodridge remain out while Tony Ward (elbow) and Mike O'Leary (shoulder) are doubts. However, Adam Cripps makes a welcome return in the backs to bolster the squad.

The Banks, making their first visit to the mainland since being acrimoniously removed from the league structure in 1992, are very much looking forward to the clash, having relinquished home advantage to come over.

Second in the Channel Islands Emiraudes League, having only lost to Jersey and Guernsey's second XVs, they will pose a similar threat to that of Quennevais and club secretary Peter Haworth believes that their side have nothing to fear.

"We are bringing over as full a strength side as we can," he said. "With the exception of a couple of our big lads who are unable to come over, we have plenty of experience in the team and any one of the players can be a playmaker.

"Obviously, we know very little of Millbrook and they know very little, if anything, of us so it should be a good game and one we are looking forward to playing."

There is a local derby in store for Eastleigh, who make the short hop to Stoneham Lane to face Southampton University, who came through a competition investigation into their preliminary round walkover against Ryde to take their place.

Phil Campling leads the side in the continued absence of Wayne Hayward in an otherwise strong-looking set-up, but they are fully aware of the threat of the students, having seen them crush Isle of Wight 52-10 in the last round.

Another side not taking their game lightly are New Milton & District, who also take a short journey across the New Forest to Hampshire Two promotion chasers Ellingham & Ringwood.

Milton name Steve Ironside in the second row and flanker Andy O'Callaghan to a side showing changes from that defeated at Fareham Heathens last week. Watcyn Lewis is moved to scrum-half and Justin Bloomfield goes to fly-half.

"No doubt that Ellingham will be looking to cause an upset," comments club secretary Nick Hanmer, "hence the reason we are taking this game very seriously."

The fourth game, between Alresford and Sandown & Shanklin, is postponed for a fortnight at the Islanders' request. They have a league game against Nomads tomorrow and, as they are playing the mid-Hampshire side in two weeks' time, asked for the league game to be used as a double header. Competition chairman Neil Hegarty has agreed to the move.