As we approach the end of the season, there is still plenty to play for in National League 2 despite promotion and relegation no longer being possible. A mid-table fight with rivals Loughborough in a battle for university bragging rights will be sure to keep the boys motivated.

Last week we took one of our final long trips up north towards Herefordshire, and against fellow mid-tablers, Luctonians. An entertaining, high-scoring affair easy very tight at half time, despite the hosts racing out to a 17-point lead, they were dragged back to 26-21 at the break. However, they showed their class in the second half, feeding off many mauls tries to a comfortable victory.

We are now back at Topsham and welcome a high-flying Dings Crusaders side who still have an outside shot at promotion this season. With fans behind the boys’ backs again, a step up in performance is bound to happen.

TOMORROW’S OPPONENTS

Founded all the way back in 1897, Dings Crusaders are one of only 2 founding members of the Bristol Combination league that still exist today. Set up by a Christian mission group, that encouraged local sports, they have achieved much local success. At the start of the league structure in 1996, the Bristolians got 3 promotions in the first 7 years, taking them into the National leagues for the first time. Since then they have maintained that position at the bottom of the National Leagues, being one of the very few clubs at this level to boast such a feat.

Despite their long time at this level, Dings have struggled to trouble the promotion spots in recent years, with last year’s 7th place being nothing to write home about. However, this year tells a different story. Doing the double over promotion rivals Clifton and handing Leicester Lions their only defeat of the season prove they are a team to be feared.

TEAM NEWS

Rich Hodges has made plenty of changes coming into this one, as EURFC continues to deal with the injury crisis going through the club. It is an all-change front row as Morris, Hocking and Alexander all come in after recovering from recent injuries and minor knocks. In the second row, Manzi remains but is time joined by Tirion Bowen. In the back row, both Jack Stanley and Ben Grubb continue to start, however, this time they are joined by Albert Dwan in the 7 shirt.

In the backs, it is an all-change half-back pairing as Will Smears gets his first start in Nat 2, and is joined by the return Sam Walker at fly-half. Zack Wimbush returns from concussion protocols to start in the centres alongside the ever-impressive Ed Volley. The only remaining man in the back three is Jonny Searle, the winger now joined by Benjy Joseland and Harvey Graham who moves back from 10.