One would assume that Birmingham & Solihull would take care of Westcombe Park tomorrow but in a division that has thrown up its fair share of upsets, particularly last weekend, it is advisable not to assume anything in National Two.
As Bees have found this season, there are no certainties in a devilishly equal division - not even for the league’s only full-time team. While second-bottom Waterloo’s upset against second-top Cambridge last weekend provides the evidence to suggest such competitiveness, Bees’ own unexpected defeats to Redruth and their hammering at Wharfedale have left coach Russell Earnshaw understandably reticent to talk up his team’s chances before matches.
Westcombe Park, who were thrashed at home by Neil Mitchell’s resurgent Stourbridge last week, will travel to Sharman’s Cross with something prove, which has been a mindset that has caused problems for Bees this season.
Earnshaw said: “If I had £1 for every time an opposition coach said that his team played its best game of the season against us, then I’d be quite wealthy. We understand that we are everyone’s cup final and we are fully aware that even the teams at the bottom end of this division are capable of causing upsets.”
Bees, third in the division after a fine win at Blackheath, welcome back Adam Clayton in place of injured Ed Orgee. Sam Brown comes in at scrum half.
Forwards: M Long, B Phillips, C Voisey; A Clayton, S Pammenter; R Connolly, R Earnshaw, J Jenner;
Backs: S Brown, M Woodrow; M Culpin Cameron, Mitchell, Scott Young, Simon Hunt, R Spee. Replacements: R Davies, T Collett, R Petty, L Halavatau
