Peterborough Lions are likely to provide a more thorough examination of the Bees’ league leadership credentials this weekend (Saturday 2nd December, KO 2.15pm) when they visit Portway.

Fresh from their 0-100 demolition of basement boys Old Halesonians last weekend, a much harder afternoon at the office is in prospect for the high-flying Birmingham & Solihull side.

Whilst a couple of successive losses (31-15 away at Scunthorpe and a 17-19 home defeat against Sandbach last weekend) have stalled their progress of late, Peterborough had hitherto won eight out of nine league outings and sit in third spot in the table on 41 points, 12 adrift of their hosts.

Pete Glackin and Stewart Pearl’s side will know from previous encounters that the Lions are a physical and highly capable outfit who will provide a real challenge in, what will be, the last home game for the Bees in 2017. Last season, the spoils were shared, the Bees winning 18-10 at Portway and losing 10-23 on the return visit to Bretton Park.

The Bees coaching duo have made just a couple of changes to the squad for the visit of the Cambridgeshire side. In the forwards, Umraan Jadwat returns at No.8, with Danny Wright switching to the second row. Matt Probert starts at tight head, with Joe Foreman on the bench, alongside Matt Spink.

In the backline, Harry O’Brien returns at full back, with JT reverting to his more traditional wing berth, where he will be partnered on the left flank by Steve Johns. Jimmy Oliver comes back in at outside centre.

Fresh from their big win at home to Old Halesonians last weekend, the Hornets make a second trip in three weeks to Nuneaton to take on their 2nds.

Bees squad v Peterborough Lions (H, 2.15pm KO): - 1. Kurtis Payne, 2. Zane Raimondi, 3. Matt Probert, 4. Andy Weaver, 5. Danny Wright, 6. Ashley Scriven, 7. Michael Stephens, 8, Unraan Jadwat, 9. Jack Jolly ©, 10. Max Rodman, 11. Steve Johns, 12. Nathan Tilsley, 13. Jimmy Oliver, 14. JT Nabetelevu, 15. Harry O’Brien, 16. Joe Foreman, 17. Matt Spink & 18. Jack Secher.

Referee: - Will Debenham

Hornets squad v Nuneaton 2s (A, 1.30 pm KO): - 1. Tom Greevy, 2. George Radburn, 3. Jake Ngatchu, 4. Keenan Cooper, 5. Ed Krawlecki, 6. Reece Donaldson, 7. Jacob Lisle, 8. Chris Thompson ©, 9. Sean O’Sullivan, 10. Ben Phillips, 11. Sam Allen 12. Sonny Young, 13. Jevon Hinds, 14. Diaba, 15. Ben Cooper, 16. Harry Barnes, 17. Harry Jackson, 18. Cameron May, 19. Joe Cave, 20. Jack Bennett, 21. Pete Logan.

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