Gosport & Fareham once again put their trust in a mixture of youth and experience as they carry the county flag into the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup into West Sussex.

They meet London Division Three South-East challengers Chichester hoping their record in the competition will hold stead - they have never been beaten by a side from a lower league than themselves.

However, in the year they reached Twickenham, they almost came unstuck at this stage and skipper Simon Burns knows that league standing means nothing in this one-off cup atmosphere, especially at the tricky, sloping Cathedral ground.

"We are taking this competition and our opponents very seriously," he said. "We will be giving Chichester the respect they deserve. It doesn't matter who we play - if we are not on top of our game, we will struggle."

The gold and blues rest a couple of senior players in Richard Daly and Gary Middleton, but include the 17-year-old son of club captain Fred Dugan, Wes, who acted as water carrier on the grand occasion at Twickenham in 2002.

Centre James Barnes, prop Stuart Guilbert and second row Michael Cordner are expected to return, as is hooker Malcolm Wheeler.

Boosted by two successive league wins, Havant search for the hat-trick when Weston-super-Mare visit Hooks Lane.

Lock Ali Ramus is away on business so Nick Whittle and Matt Kell search for a recall.

But it is in the backs where the problems are most.

Liam Davenport's shoulder is the key doubt while Matt Gronow, Keith Molyneux and Adam Jewitt are all ruled out by unavailability and injury.

Director of rugby Adam King said: "Obviously we will have to reshuffle, but every club will face this problem and you simply have to get on with it."

No love lost in derby cup tie

EXPECT some late fireworks when Nomads travel to Fareham Heathens tomorrow.

The pair, not the friendliest of rivals on the park, clash for the first time in two seasons.

And the Portsmouth-based red and blacks will be hoping to put one over on their in-form Cams Alders hosts, as they did in September 1995 when they won a Vase tie 13-6.

Given the way they played against Trojans last week in losing 22-7, they are geared up for the challenge and make one change in bringing in fireman Toby Simmonds for Pat Thompson in the second-row.

Club captain Matt Davis believes they have a chance if they reproduce last Saturday's form.

"We probably played our best rugby to date last week and the score didn't justify how well we played," he said.

Heathens, now second in the league having returned a superb 17-15 victory at New Milton six days ago, hope to field their strongest line-up.

Milton face a stiff examination when unbeaten Surrey Division One league leaders Old Wellingtonians are the visitors to the New Forest, especially as the home side are on a losing streak.

With three losses in a row, Matt Rule's men are in desperate need of a boost and welcome back former Basingstoke scrum-half Tom Humphreys, who dislodges the unfortunate Matt Wale.

James Mallett is absent but is replaced by the impressive Tim Meek and belief is high they can progress at the expense of the progressive Surrey One outfit.

The Foresters have beaten them before, eight years ago in the third round in London 20-17.

There is a benchmark game for unbeaten Hampshire One leaders Trojans. They go to London Four South-West high-flyers KCS Old Boys but are minus two key front-row players Jon Newsome and Richard Sparks.

Ian Smith and youngster Steve Fitzgerald come in while veterans Richard Featherstone and Mike McGuire are included on the bench as cover while Mark Sharpe and Nigel LeBas are recalled to half-back for Dave Hamilton, who drops to the second XV.

Coach Pete Surtees believes his side can return from this game victorious as Petersfield's director of rugby Mike O'Shea has given him a few pointers on KCS.

"Mike felt they were not that physical and that is where we can dominate," said Surtees.

"However, without Newsome and Sparks, it does take the edge off. We will give them a run for their money but I would be far happier with the full strength XV.

"Obviously if we win, I will be ecstatic. This game is a benchmark for us and depending on the result, we can see where we are in terms of performance."