The Fawley Flame is glowing brightly after last season’s relegation – but skipper Tom Gates doesn’t want to see it extinguished when Portsmouth come visiting Holbury for a top of the table Southern Electric Premier Division 2 clash.
Gates has seen the oilmen sweep to impressive wins over OTs & Romsey, Hursley Park and Langley Manor in the first three matches of his watch.
But he’s conscious that Portsmouth pose a significant threat when they visit the Waterside Club.
“They are being touted as favourites, so it will be a good test to see how far we’ve come,” said Gates, who should have Queenslander Paul Kruger available to open the attack after a back injury.
Portsmouth have also won their first three and lie only three points behind Fawley in the log.
Fawley: Gates, K Earl, Parratt, Leach, Royan, E Earl, C Earl, Woolgar, Smith, Godden, Kruger.
Portsmouth: Henderson, J Marston, Hammond, Locke, Dawson, Shaw, Collier, Ahmad, Whitecross, Burns, A Marston.
Second placed Tichborne Park, who also boast a 100 per cent record, are without three players for the Paultons trip – all having been treated in A & E !
Skipper Will Allam is sidelined with a broken nose, pinch hitter George Ayling has injured his spine and Aiden Pond has broken ribs !
But at least spirits will be lifted by Jack Daniels in the Park changing room, alongside Alex Roe, who makes his debut.
Paultons: Richman, Robinson, Wateridge, Hall, O'Brien, Feltham, Collins, Murrell, Lamb, Pike, Denney.
Tichborne Park: T Allam, Cheyney, Don, Roe, Berry, Skinner, Butler, Reid, Bristow, Daniels, Copeman.
Pinned to the SPL2 basement, Sparsholt are desperate for a win – and it could come when newly promoted Bashley (Rydal) II rock up at the Norman Edwards Ground for a bottom-of-the-table clash.
The presence of teenager Mike Haworth gives Sparsholt’s top order a stronger look, while 15-year old Nick Doubell plays alongside his father Mike.
Sparsholt: Worth, Ruffel , Jenner, Gough, Haworth, M Doubell, N Doubell, Foster, J Vokes, Dilley, Balland.
Hursley Park visit Langley Manor minus opener Tom Tennant, while OTs & Romsey, with Hampshire all-rounder Chris Wood in tow, host a Hambledon side eager to build on last week’s win over Sparsholt, but with rumours of a captaincy change in the county air.
Gates has seen the oilmen sweep to impressive wins over OTs & Romsey, Hursley Park and Langley Manor in the first three matches of his watch.
But he’s conscious that Portsmouth pose a significant threat when they visit the Waterside Club.
“They are being touted as favourites, so it will be a good test to see how far we’ve come,” said Gates, who should have Queenslander Paul Kruger available to open the attack after a back injury.
Portsmouth have also won their first three and lie only three points behind Fawley in the log.
Fawley: Gates, K Earl, Parratt, Leach, Royan, E Earl, C Earl, Woolgar, Smith, Godden, Kruger.
Portsmouth: Henderson, J Marston, Hammond, Locke, Dawson, Shaw, Collier, Ahmad, Whitecross, Burns, A Marston.
Second placed Tichborne Park, who also boast a 100 per cent record, are without three players for the Paultons trip – all having been treated in A & E !
Skipper Will Allam is sidelined with a broken nose, pinch hitter George Ayling has injured his spine and Aiden Pond has broken ribs !
But at least spirits will be lifted by Jack Daniels in the Park changing room, alongside Alex Roe, who makes his debut.
Paultons: Richman, Robinson, Wateridge, Hall, O'Brien, Feltham, Collins, Murrell, Lamb, Pike, Denney.
Tichborne Park: T Allam, Cheyney, Don, Roe, Berry, Skinner, Butler, Reid, Bristow, Daniels, Copeman.
Pinned to the SPL2 basement, Sparsholt are desperate for a win – and it could come when newly promoted Bashley (Rydal) II rock up at the Norman Edwards Ground for a bottom-of-the-table clash.
The presence of teenager Mike Haworth gives Sparsholt’s top order a stronger look, while 15-year old Nick Doubell plays alongside his father Mike.
Sparsholt: Worth, Ruffel , Jenner, Gough, Haworth, M Doubell, N Doubell, Foster, J Vokes, Dilley, Balland.
Hursley Park visit Langley Manor minus opener Tom Tennant, while OTs & Romsey, with Hampshire all-rounder Chris Wood in tow, host a Hambledon side eager to build on last week’s win over Sparsholt, but with rumours of a captaincy change in the county air.
