Gosport & Fareham may be going back home but coach Sean Fanning does not want to mark the occasion with a second consecutive defeat as his team take on promotion chasing, second-placed Barnes tomorrow.
Gosport hope the new £800,000 clubhouse is fully operational in time for the 2.30pm kick-off, as long as there are no last minute hitches when the keys are handed over today. And a big crowd is expected to see the first match in front of the impressive structure.
Fanning has a number of injury concerns among the forwards, however, with Jon Ward (back), Trevor McAlister (knee), Richard Daly (knee) and Harry Harrison (ankle) all struggling to be fit while the coach and Steve Emm are possible non-starters in the backs.
Fanning hopes that the team can bring a glorious opening to the proper homecoming.
"The pressure is on us, especially if we are back at Gosport Park, because it will be a big occasion and we don't want to be losing our first game there," he said.
"I was disappointed that we lost to Richmond last week but it was the result many people expected. However, Barnes is a game we have targeted to win and, if we can beat them, then two wins against the top three clubs this month will go a long way to helping us avoid the drop."
If only the same could be said by Winchester, who have the daunting trip to Richmond in their battle against relegation while Andover travel fellow strugglers Tunbridge Wells.
Portsmouth have stepped into mid-table and realistically need one more win to ensure their place in the league for next season. They host Beckenham at Rugby Camp, a match that could provide those points.
Havant make the long trip to a side they have already beaten twice this season, Old Albanians, in an attempt to extend their unbeaten run and maintain the pressure on the leaders in London Division One.
But the home side require two points to stave off their relegation fears so Havant need to beware, although they will probably stick to the side that hammered Staines last week.
However Nick Cooper and Steve Stapleton are both fit, as is Anton Petzer, while Matt Kell fights with Matt Corker to play in the second row and Graham Butterworth, Dave Archer and Dylan Raubenheimer all look for places in the back row.
Director of rugby Adam King commented: "We have defeated OAs twice this season, but both have been real battles and this one will be as well. Competition for places is getting fierce and I welcome it.
"We are at the stage of the season where every game is vital, and I find out whether the players have the bottle for a big game every week."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article