TROJANS coach Pete Surtees needs no reminder of last season's match against New Milton & District at Stoneham Lane - nor does his team.
Last October's defeat has cropped up in team talks more than once. It left the normally affable Stoneham Lane supremo seething and still sticks in his gullet on the eve of tomorrow's corresponding fixture.
The home side are back to virtual full strength, except for the holidaying Adrian Smith and the unavailable Tim Zeale. Ian Hudson and Ben Collins fill in. Club captain Russell Clarke returns to the bench after injury.
Nigel LeBas is preferred to Dave Hamilton at fly-half. The former Newcastle Falcon is settling into his new surroundings but Surtees believes New Milton will be strong.
"They are not in second place for nothing and we will give them the greatest of respect," he says.
Milton, however, are hit by injuries and unavailability especially in the front row with Andy Seton and Ed Baker given starts alongside James Mallett. They are also weakened by the continued absence of skipper Matt Rule, again away on Army duty.
The backs are at full strength, with four-try hero from last weekend Ally Neal keeping his place on the wing.
Mid-table Millbrook need to get their campaign back on track following disappointing results with a solid home result against Isle of Wight, who bring both first and seconds to the Lordshill Recreation Ground.
The hosts are helped by players returning from injury although Shannon Passingham and Dominic Sales are still out. Veterans Mike Mulcahy and Alan Day both return while Australian-Sri Lankan Pravin Scnevirante switches to centre and Danny Moore makes his debut.
If Fareham Heathens are to remain in the promotion shake-up, they cannot afford many more slip-ups and will be tested tomorrow by hit-and-miss Farnborough. Heathens have Wayne Barugh back at number eight and Anthony Reynolds is on the bench. Chris Veale keeps his place in the front row having impressed last week against Worth Old Boys.
Nomads' clash with Sandown & Shanklin and Fordingbridge's league game against Fawley have been postponed so they can replay their Powergen Junior Vase game but the Portsmouth-based side have had to forfeit home advantage due to the mix-up with the referee.
Nomads welcome back players from injury, including skipper Pete Pridmore, James Clarke and Toby Simmonds while Tom Maslin switches from prop to flanker and Wes Harper-Ronald returns to the centre.
'Bridge should be at full strength after suffering no ill effects from their match with Chineham on Sunday.
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