Fowkes wants big response at the Bay

NOTTINGHAM are looking to get back to winning ways after losing 36-28 to Cornish Pirates in Penzance last weekend.

The Green and Whites have won their last two home matches and head coach Neil Fowkes hopes his side will bounce back and build on their momentum at The Bay.

Fowkes said: “We were disappointed with our performance in the first half against Pirates but I’m very proud of the way the boys came back at half time.

“We’d had three good results and Pirates really upped the tempo against us as, on the back of three results, teams start to look at you differently.

“We’ve got take each game as it comes and it’s really important that we continue to improve each week, especially as we have a small, young squad.

“Hartpury will undoubtedly be a tough test for us but I’m looking forward to seeing how we’ve grown since last weekend.”

Hartpury have retained a similar-looking side to that which performed well in defeat to Ealing last weekend.

Centre Tom Seabrook and fly-half Sam Leeming, who each made positive contributions in that display, both start.

The only change in the back division is in the centre, where the experienced Luke Eves returns in the 12 jersey.

Club skipper Simon Linsell returns following a shoulder injury sustained against Coventry three weeks ago.

Iain Grieve is not available due to a knock collected in the Ealing game, so James Stephenson steps up for his first start of the season as does tight-head Joe Morris.