Saints visit Newbury next weekend with an unbeaten record, league champions and EDF Trophy winners. Newbury on the other hand will have nothing to show for this season except for the satisfaction of their spirited performances away to Saints and at home to Exeter in mid February which they won 25-20.

NEWBURY BLUES VS NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

NL1: Saturday, 19^th April 2008. 3pm

MONKS LANE

MATCH PREVIEW

Saints will have two points to prove when they visit Monks Lane on 19^th April: that it was simply a bad day at the office for our team of superstars when Newbury visited Franklins Gardens in November, and that our unbeaten record is maintained. Newbury, on the other hand will be relishing welcoming the Saintly horde to their own back yard in the hope that their home advantage may prove too much for the league champions elect and that the fighting spirit Newbury Blues have managed to show on too few occasions may reappear. Other than this, Newbury will, once again finish the season in the lower half of the league but also with recent financial problems meaning that their survival in National League One next season will be a war of attrition.

Newbury RFC (NRFC) is very much a typical community Rugby Club in so many respects. Covering a large piece of land on the South of Newbury town, all visitors are greeted by the atmosphere of a local Rugby Club with a well laid out and well maintained playing environment of six pitches and busy schedules for junior, senior and ladies rugby and a friendly club house capable of hosting many social events. All of this will do little to help the 1^st XV team next season however and recent announcements indicate that this will be Newbury’s last season with any full time players on the books. Until recently Vodaphone had been a major sponsor at the club, their HQ based as it is in Newbury, gave NRFC some comfort and no doubt helped Newbury since their promotion from National Division two in 2004/2005 along with Doncaster. Since then though NRFC have never really been out of the bottom half of league one, results being at best, erratic. A great day out for their players and supporters at FG only matched by a determined effort at home to Exeter have been overshadowed by not being able to overcome Esher at all this season and recent losses away to Launceston, Bees and a thrashing last week at Rotherham. Having only won eight of their league games this season they currently lie 4^th from bottom with an away trip to Plymouth for their last game of the season.

So who should we watch out for? Well, Newbury have been very busy recruiting and loaning in recent years in an attempt to compete in ND1. They are a predominantly young team, with a scattering of internationals. Recent signings include:

Mark Irish, on loan from Bristol is a former England U21 prop. Wayne Thompson, also on loan from Bristol has played U19 and U21 for England in the six nations and World cup against Argentina as prop. Andy Reay has played at centre for Quins and Bristol is another U21 England cap. Jonny Hylton was with CAB’s last season helping them to victory in the EDF trophy has premiership club experience with Wuss and Wasps along with this he has played for England at sevens. South African, Chaska Loubser has experience in Super 14 with Blue Bulls. And finally, from Barf they have Charlie Perry as full back/winger who set some blistering pace whilst at the Premiership team just last season. Some of the more established team members include the captain and top points scorer, Tim Walsh the Australian outside half with 102 points scored this season, including 4 drop goals (one of them at FG). Also look out for Martin Nutt as the clubs top try scorer with 8 tries this season. Not a patch on our Chris then.

 
And so to the game:

Hopefully Newbury will get a good turn out for this match, if they do it will be due in part, to the result on their away trip to us and, if all Saints away trips this season are any indication, there should be a good contingent of Black Green and Gold turn up too. A typical turn out for a first XV match is unfortunately only around the 500 mark and their recent results and financial problems have resulted in a lot of disillusioned supporters. There is very limited seating available in a small stand adjacent to the club house and another small, more temporary stand at one end of the pitch. The rest of the pitch is surrounded by a grass bank with ample viewing opportunities, albeit standing. Should the weather be clement it will be very pleasant, but should the forecast be for rain then take your wellies as it can get muddy. I would also think that Newbury will organise additional food and drink outlets and toilet facilities as the club house alone will have difficulty dealing with the demand of the visiting support of the league and cup double winners but if my last trip down there is any indication they will definitely need more than one portable loo block at the back of the car park!

How to get there:

It’s fairly easy, a 60 minute-ish trip from Northampton south on the A34 will get you to Newbury. The best way to approach NRFC when coming from the A34 is to avoid the Town Centre.

If coming from the A34 (South Bound) do not come off at the first two Newbury Turnings come off at the turning signposted Wash Common/Highclere (A343) which is south of the club.

At weekends in particular the A339 in Newbury gets very busy especially around Tesco.

Once on the A343 follow the signs to Newbury, passing Park House school on your right you will get to a twin mini roundabout, turn right here into Monks Lane then look out for the entrance to the club and a little further along the entrance to the car parking area.

Car parking will likely be on the practice pitches adjacent to the main pitch and club house and will cost £2.00 if any of you are driving down. Handicapped car travellers may be able to get a parking spot 10 or so metres away and overlooking the pitch on an elevated position. You may want to call Newbury on 01635 230023 to find out more about this.

Team and score Predictions:

Now there’s a tricky one given that we go into this game as champions and cup winners. Will Jim see it as a chance to rest some players and play some of the academy lads, or will he want to ensure that our 100% record is maintained and try to cure some hangovers from last Saturday night’s celebrations? I am not going to try and guess the team. As far as the score is concerned, well given the record Newbury have against Saints, it could be a close run game…………………Who am I kidding, Saints by 30 points.

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