The second half of the season starts this weekend as the Nuns host Burton in the last home game of 2024. When the two sides met earlier in the season it was the host that took the spoils 38-30 despite the Nuns picking up an early lead. With points going astray off the boot that day as well things could have been different for the Nuns. Burton’s game last weekend was postponed due to storm Darragh but the Nuns game with Long Eaton just about beat the elements to go ahead. Played in a gale forces winds straight down the pitch which dictated most of how the game went, the Nuns were short of overcoming a 38-0 deficit finishing with 24 points and a try bonus. After review, it was positive to see another crop of young talent come into the side for debuts and give them a taste of first team rugby. The Nuns currently sit 7th in the league with 26 points and Burton are 6th with 30 points but have played one game less.

The Saxons travel to Hinckley as they also start the second half of the season. Last weekend their fixture against Lutterworth was postponed due to the weather as was Hinckley’s game. When the two sides met earlier this season it was Hinckley who came out on top with a 31-7 victory. With the Saxons currently on 16 points from 9 games in 10th, Hinckley have 32 points from their 9 games with 6 wins and 3 defeats sitting 3rd in the league. If they side can carry on their improved form of late then they will be looking for a much tighter game.

The Saracens and Colts don’t have games this weekend. Last week the Saracens went down to Coventrians in a Warwickshire league game.

Team news: in the pack, Jack Iles, Louis Addleton and Ben Dawes all return to make up the front row. Ben Haywood partners Tom Aherne in and Ben Cornwall and Rudi Reid return in the back row.

Ben Kirby starts at scrum half after making a big impact last weekend and Nemani Rayabo starts on the wing.

Dave Darker, Oli Mitchell and Mike Volaikisuva make up the bench.

Squad to play Burton RFC, Home 2:15pm:

1 Jack Iles*
2 Louis Addleton
3 Ben Dawes
4 Ben Haywood
5 Tom Aherne
6 Ben Cornwall
7 Rudi Reid
8 Martin Wood
9 Ben Kirby
10 Lucas Brindley*
11 Travis Bennett-Allcock *
12 Ryan Preston
13 Harry Beverley*
14 Nemani Rayabo
15 Joe Wilson*
16 Tyler Freeman*
17 Oli Mitchell*
18 Mike Volaikisuva*

*Nuneaton RFC Pathway Players

Saxon V Hinckley, Away 2:15pm:

Tyler Freeman*, Ryan Evans*, Lee Booton, Thor Sidhu*, Steve Orton, James O’Donoghue, Chris Smith, Joe Franklin*, Benji Mitchell*, Arron Skyrme, Clive Brampton, Jamie Ridgway*, Marcus Holt*, Rhys Astin*, Charlie Smith*, Lewis Cox*, Tak Chawadya, Ben Stewart*, Scott Cawley, Ben Gilbert*

Regional 1 Midlands Round 12 Fixtures:

Banbury V Dudley Kingswinford
Syston V Derby
Silhillians V Bridgnorth
Stourbridge V Bromsgrove
Kenilworth V Long Eaton
Nuneaton V Burton

Regional 1 Midlands Round 11 Results:

Bromsgrove V Syston Postponed
Burton V Banbury Postponed
Derby V Bridgnorth Postponed
Silhillians 20-10 Dudley Kingswinford
Kenilworth V Stourbridge Postponed
Long Eaton 38-24 Nuneaton