With the boys going through a tough run of form at the moment, a return to Topsham is needed to get things back on track.

Last week we faced the long trip up to Hinckley for a game against a team just a place above in the table. The first half was a very even affair as both sides scored 2 tries but an extra conversion from Sam Walker put EURFC ahead.

In the second period, Hinckley put down their marker by scoring 2 quick tries in the space of 5 minutes to extend their lead. A score by Ronan Kelly made the ending tense and kept the fans on the edge of their seats. It seemed like Exeter had won it with less than 5 minutes in the clock, however, Ed Volley’s late try was controversially chalked off for an earlier forward pass.

With those demons now behind the boys, we look ahead to tomorrow’s game against Newport (Salop) as we look to get back to winning ways.

TOMORROW’S OPPONENT

Although Newport RUFC were founded in 1871, their early history was patchy, with only the occasional match against neighbouring town Stafford filling the rugby void. It would take until after the war when an ex-soldier from Devon put an ad in the newspaper for anyone wanting to play rugby with very little being offered in the town at the time. 75 years later, the club is still going strong after being promoted to the 4th tier last season.

Last season Newport won the Midlands Premier Division, beating out the likes of Sheffield and Syston to the top spot. An impressive run all season ended with just 3 defeats and over 1000 points scored (39 points per game) as they took the title by 13 points. In their first appearance at this level, the Shropshire outfit's results have not been outstanding. However, avoiding a heavy defeat to top-of-the-table Leicester Lions, and back-to-back victories over fellow strugglers Stourbridge show signs of improvement. Their biggest result came 2 weeks ago when they pulled off a massive upset, defeating 3rd place Dings Crusaders at home.

TEAM NEWS

After last week’s injury fest Rich Hodges has been forced into a whole heap of changes to the side. Morris and Gulley start in the front row but are joined by the returning Ellis Baldry in at hooker. Ronan Kelly moves to the 2nd row after scoring 2 in 2 in the 6 shirt. Jack Stanley starts in an all-new back row after impressing off the bench last week, alongside BUCS Super Rugby regulars Luke Bralsford and Josh Thorne.

In the backs, both half-backs change from last week as Jago Bailey and Jack Park replace Ballard and Walker. Outside of them the team remains largely the same, with the only exception being in the centres. Zack Wimbush returns after passing through the HIA protocols and takes place alongside Power in the midfield. This means Ed Volley shifts back to wing to replace the injured Ferguson.

There are returns for Ed Holroyd and Harvey Beckerleg on the bench, alongside newbies Will Smears, who made his debut last week, and Ben Langdon hoping to make his tomorrow. Archie Rolls completes the squad following his surprising stint as a lock last week.