Match Preview

BEDFORD ATHLETIC FIRST VISITORS OF THE NEW SEASON TO PORTWAY

Bees look to improve on last week’s draw against Syston.

Bedford Athletic are the first visitors to Portway this Saturday (KO 3pm) as the Bees look to improve on last week’s away day draw against Syston.

Reviewing last weekend’s first league outing, Bees’ Head of Rugby Pete Glackin said, “On reflection we didn’t play as effectively as we wanted to and credit to the opposition for restricting our momentum. However we witnessed two excellent tries from debut winger Tawanda Chipadza and Mikey Whettell and tremendous character from the squad to claim a 16-16 draw.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, it will be the first time that the two clubs have met in recent history. Bedford Athletic have returned to NL3M after a two-year absence and lost their opening game last week away at Towcestrians.

Glackin and First Team coach Ben Woods have made some personnel and positional changes for the Bedford game, with scrum half Jack Jolly and centre Jimmy Oliver both picking up knocks in the Syston game.

Charlie Mumford, who came on from the bench last week, starts at No.9, with Dan Barratt moving to inside centre. George Adams switches to the wing, with Chris Fensome coming in at full back.

In the forwards, last season player of the season Matt Spink is fit again and joins captain Chris Goddard in the engine room, whilst Joe Foreman starts at loose head, with Dan Toth getting the nod at loose head.

Meanwhile the Hornets make the short trip along the M42 to Finstall Park where they have a local derby against Bromsgrove 2nds.