Reynolds backs Tigers to shine

Published 16 Dec 2009 12:00 0 Comments

RUGBY PREVIEWS

GENSIANS:

GENSIANS director of rugby Gary Reynolds believes his men can finish the year on a high despite horrendous injury problems.

They visit Chinnor on Saturday (2pm) hoping to complete a double over the Oxon side. But they could be without dynamic number eight Rob Stapley (groin) and full-back Tom Allen (ankle).

Both Stapley and Allen suffered injuries in the 29-21 victory over Chippenham and are having fitness tests. But Reynolds is confident that Tigers (second team) personnel can step up to the plate yet again.

He said: "The Tigers are riding high in the RugbyTec Shield despite being plundered week-in week-out because of the first team injury problems.

"We have at least 10 first teamers out but the strength in depth provided by the Tigers means we can still produce competitive sides."

Joe Matthams, who is cover for Allen, and Andy Tweedie, on the bench, could have their first taste of senior rugby this season. It would be a debut for Matthams, recruited from London Welsh in the summer.

READING:

Reading will be looking to finish 2009 with a bang after going off the boil in recent weeks.

The Green Machine have won just one of their last eight league games since beating local rivals Gensians in October.

And they have failed to register a single point in their last two away games.

The Holme Park side will certainly be looking to improve those two statistics on Saturday when they travel to ninth place Barnstaple, who are unbeaten in their last four home games.

A win for the Green Machine would see them draw level with the Devon outfit in the National Three South West table.

ABBEY

ABBEY coach Adam Hurst says his side will simply not roll over against table topping Cheltenham.

The west-coast side travel to Rosehill on Saturday having averaged 40 points in their first 14 South West One East games.

However, Hurst said: "They are not unbeatable - their two losses have been on the road.

"We have no plans to roll over and surrender."

Abbey are likely to be without former skipper Fungai Mutepfa with a neck strain, but flanker Tom Huggins could return alongside Eifion Robinson in an impressive six-seven partnership.

Hurst admits his team are looking forward to the Christmas break. And, after an underwhelming start to the season, hopes they will set the record straight when league matches resume with a trip to Walcott on January 9.

He said: "We haven't done justice to ourselves in the tail end of 2009 and to turn a new leaf and face the challenges will lift us all.

"On Saturday I'm well aware our supporters will be in force for the great Presidents pre-match lunch and we aim, if not to surprise, at least to entertain them."

Tweet

Post a comment

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle