It has been a difficult past two fixtures for the 1st XV, with two losses against Andover and Farnham on the bounce. This week, the Red and Green march down the road to new opposition in Surrey counterpart, Chobham.

The team are based out of the Borough of Surrey Heath, about an hour away from the Hampshire based team of Petersfield. Sitting in 8th at the time of writing, the side are coming from a loss against North Dorset last week, with a narrow scoreline of 34-33. With only 2 wins out of a potential 6 so far, the Surrey team have so far struggled with the league, being on the other side of 50-0 Winchester win as well as a Tottonians 43-17 result. A points difference of -67 indicates signs of struggle in the Chobham defence, but at no point should Petersfield underestimate an opponent, as the league has already proven to be rife with competition.

A handful of changes this week in the line-up, but none in the front row as Sam Janaway, Nic Wilde and Dan Sargent form a mighty trio. Lewis McGarr makes up the step up from the 2s alongside Franko Tomic to create a storming second row. The back row will be without Karter Whittock for the first time this season, but still in more than capable hands as Matt Momber resumes his captaincy on the blindside, with Jack Janaway and Liam Perkins at openside and number 8, respectively. Alex Duffus and Nick Blumlein remain in their usual positions of 9 and 10 and will be praying for good weather to release the deadly backline. Will Mathews and Greg Jansen feature again in the centre combination, as Charlie Muir takes the left wing. George Davis returns for the weekend and will play on the right wing, and Joe Knowles completes the team at fullback – earning a promotion from the bench last week.

On the bench, we see Ryan Wilkie and Ryan Morse for some forward power and the final substitution is a proud one for the side as Ethan Horsfall makes his 1st XV league debut. Another product of the academy system, having been with the club since he was 6 years old, this will certainly not be the last time we see him this season!

When asked about the opportunity to make his debut this weekend, he told us the following “I’m excited to make my first team debut, having played at the rugby club since under 6s. Looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we come away with a win – Up the Rams!”

Forwards coach Andy Patience also gave his insights on the upcoming fixture “The form book says two straight defeats in a row for us. Chobham will be looking to add to that and we need to take the learnings from recent games to combat that. We are more than capable and prepared; the lads know what is expected and we trust they will deliver.”

Like the 1st XV, the 2s are also heading into the fixture after a loss last weekend. Unfortunately, the competitive fixture against United Services Portsmouth has had to be rearranged, but Portsmouth 2s have stepped up to deliver a friendly so that everyone can get some playing time still – a massive thank you to the Pompey lads!

The 2nd XV team is, as usual, a blend of experience and youth with an abundance of academy graduates littered throughout the team, so it should make for an exciting match of rugby. The front row features veteran Mark Butcher, Sam Brown and is bolstered by the size of Chad White in the tighthead position. Oli Hunt links up with Fraser Combe for a weighted engine room. Max Faulkner continues his impressive form and steps up again, with club long timers Carl Sharrock and Harley Orr to help guide him with their years of experience and skill. A young half-back duo sees Oscar Horsfall and Archie Whitear tasked with the job of managing the side. An extremely talented midfield partnership of Andy Wood and Toby Colwood will instil shape and provide frontline ball for the side, as the backline contains wing Sid Brockwell, and the Dawes cousins combine as we see wing Adam and fullback Sam.

With the game being a friendly, the bench is to be extended with more numbers and allowing everyone to get a run out. Nathan Bamborough-Smith will be the first name up, another graduate, alongside Jon Horsfall, Josh Stevens and Ben Thomas for the forwards. The backs replacements see Jay Bremner and Connah Bason take their shirts for the match.

Lineups:

1. Sam Janaway
2. Nic Wilde
3. Dan Sargent
4. Lewis McGarr
5. Franko Tomic
6. Matt Momber (C)
7. Jack Janaway
8. Liam Perkins
9. Alex Duffus
10. Nick Blumlein
11. Charlie Muir
12. Will Mathews
13. Greg Jansen
14. George Davis
15. Joe Knowles

16. Ryan Wilkie
17. Ryan Morse
18. Ethan Horsfall*
*denotes 1st XV league debut

1. Mark Butcher
2. Sam Brown
3. Chad White
4. Oli Hunt
5. Fraser Combe
6. Max Faulkner
7. Carl Sharrock
8. Harley Orr
9. Oscar Horsfall
10. Archie Whitear
11. Adam Dawes
12. Andy Wood
13. Toby Colwood
14. Sid Brockwell
15. Sam Dawes

16. Nathan Bamborough-Smith
17. Jon Horsfall
18. Josh Stevens
19. Ben Thomas
20. Jay Bremner
21. Connah Bason