JUST one league place separates local rivals Trojans and Romsey but that will mean little when the pair meet tomorrow in the second round of the Powergen Junior Vase at Stoneham Lane.
The unbeaten Hampshire Division One hosts will start as hot favourites to sink the lowly Romsey side who are still searching for their first win at the foot of London Division Four South-West.
Add to the mix the fact that Trojans will be hunting revenge for last season's 19-15 Vase exit inflicted on them by Bryan Musk's side at this stage and Pete Surtees' men are prepared to progress to round three.
But nothing would satisfy the men from the Sports Centre more than to wrest their current problems and pull off a shock by repeating the result from 12 months ago.
And with key backs Adam Trotman and Graham Noble both possibly returning from University for the game, they are in with a chance.
Trojans rest six league regulars and introduce full-back Pete Kellet and flanker Tim Higham for their debuts while winger Ian Hudson gets his first start of the season and Ben Collins an inaugural 80 minutes after coming off the bench last weekend.
Fly-half Dave Hamilton is recalled, moving Nigel LeBas to scrum-half as coach Surtees tries not to tamper too much with the second team and focuses on the key league clash with New Milton & District next weekend.
"We know that Romsey beat us last season and we then lost to New Milton the following week and that has been hammered home to the lads this week," he said.
"The lads would love to win, of course, and it will be an interesting game."
Neighbours Eastleigh have been given a second chance in the Vase as their first round conquerors, London Fire Brigade were found to have fielded an unregistered player in that game and have been kicked out of the competition.
Therefore, Wayne Hayward's side have been reinstated and it will be they who take on New Milton & District instead but they travel to the Hampshire One side without Pete Noonan or Martin Kirby.
Noonan has an injured foot and Kirby a knee tear and they will be sorely missed in the back division but Dave Craddock and Russell Smith make welcome returns for the Bishopstoke men.
The hosts are led by fly-half Justin Bloomfield as they are uncertain on Matt Rule's availability as he is absent on Army duty and is doubtful on being back in time so his place goes to Jamie Ramsey, who returns from injury.
Surrey Division Two outfit Worth Old Boys defeated Isle of Wight in the first round of the competition so Fareham Heathens will need to be wary, given they were beaten by the Islanders just last weekend.
And Matt Southey's side are not in the best of health either after that defeat, meaning a debut for centre Ben Strudwick and recalls for prop Chris Veale and lock Paul Smith.
"The side is a bit war torn but we need to save our best for after the cup game clashes with Farnborough in the league," he surmises.
Elsewhere, in-form Fordingbridge will be targeting their third cup of the season when they visit Nomads while Petersfield's trip to Farnborough will not be an easy one for the deflated London Four South-West outfit after last week's disappointing result.
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