STERN EXAMINATION UP IN THE POTTERIES LIKELY TO AWAIT BEES
McGahan and Whettell return for what is likely to be a testing trip up to Longton
The Bees will be keen to put the disappointment of last week’s defeat by Lichfield behind them as they travel up to the Potteries tomorrow to play Longton (Saturday 29th October KO 3pm).
The Staffordshire side are just one point and two places below Birmingham & Solihull in the league table, having won three from seven so far this season. Their current points tally has been boosted by 5 Bonus Points (4T and 1 LB), with two of their three wins coming in recent outings.
Last weekend saw Longton win 25-41 away from home at Bedford Athletic; a win that came on the back of a 54-10 demolition of Syston at their Trentham Fields ground. Their other win was notched up on the road against Peterborough Lions (24-34). The defeats that Longton have suffered this season have all been against sides in the top half of the table - Nuneaton (25-8), Old Halesonians (20-33), Sandbach (22-26) and Sheffield (54-10).
As with stocks and shares, historical performance is no guarantee of future performance, but the Bees were victorious in both fixtures against Longton last season. A try by Chris Goddard and a wonder score by Alex O’Malley, plus 13 points from the boot of Jack Jolly were enough to edge out their hosts 15-23 in a tight game last October.
The return fixture at Portway in January was an arm wrestle in the mud – a Goddard try and a penalty from Mitch McGahan gave the Bees an 8-5 win in a game which was otherwise largely forgettable.
Ben Woods and Pete Glackin have made a few adjustments to the side following last week’s reverse against Lichfield. The pack is unchanged, save for Kurtis Payne coming in for Joe Foreman and Matt Spink starting in the second row. Andrew Weaver and Dan Toth provide cover on the bench.
In the backs, Mitch McGahan starts at 10, with fit-again Mikey Whettell partnering Jimmy Oliver in the centre. Max Rodman is the backs replacement.