Winchester have played their part in some cracking matches at their North Walls home in the opening stages of the season – but had little reward for their efforts.
The good news is their two successes – against Tadley RFC and KCS Old Boys – have both come away, and they are on the road again tomorrow at Weybridge.
Winch have targeted the tough away trip to Walton-on-Thames as one of three they want to win this month.
“Perennial rivals Weybridge will offer a stern test for us,” said Winchester head coach Andy Fields.
Winch’s backline remains unchanged for the third week in a row but work commitments mean changes in the pack with Rob Arthur starting at loose prop and Jack Tomlinson moving from hooker to the back row.
Tottonians’ head coach Gavin Williams is calling on his side to reproduce the second-half form they showed against Effingham & Leatherhead last time out – and not how they played over the first 40 minutes.
Totts travel to bottom side Farnham with a 100 per cent record, but will not take their opponents for granted.
Williams said: “They have certainly not found it easy moving up to this level.
“We haven’t played them for some time and we will not be complacent and will be going all out.
“Last week the first half was just not good enough and we made uncharacteristic mistakes, which we put right in the second half.”
Bryn Marshall is called back to fly half and captain Robbie Searle moves to fullback while there is a debut for former Bolton prop James Gay and experienced Jon Wilton and Joe Jarvis make up the replacements.
“Joe took a bit of time out last season but has the bit between his teeth again and has been performing really, really well in the seconds and can cover a number of positions,” added Williams. Eastleigh skipper Paul Fudio wants his side to step up a gear while he is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The Bishopstoke Road side won at Ellingham & Ringwood last week to keep their 100 per cent record and top place in London SW3, but Fudio reckons they were not at their best.
He said: “Certainly we were not firing on all cylinders and that is something we want to rectify.”
Fudio came off midway through the second half and will miss tomorrow’s clash at home to London Exiles, as will prop Paul Taylor who is still out injured.
The sides shared a win each last season and Fudio and his team have done their homework for this clash.
He added: “We know they have a good back line and two huge centres and we have prepared for that.”
Trojans hauled themselves off the bottom last week with their first win of the campaign – beating Sandown & Shanklin 21-15.
They have home advantage over a New Milton side that sit in fourth place with three wins from four.
One place below them are Andover who head for mid-table Old Tonbridgians on the back of an impressive victory over Old Mid-Whitgiftians.
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